The Truth About Belly Fat

They say the things you know nothing about can not hurt you. I really don’t know who said that; don’t know if it’s an adage or some parable. I do know it is a dumb whatever-it-is saying or parable. The same can not be said about the dangers of belly fat, if you know nothing about it, it could be the start of some potentially life threatening ailment. The discomfort and health hazards of belly fat are not to be taken for granted. We might be ignorant of some of the facts about belly fat. So let me just point out a few of the diseases associated with belly fat:

• Heart disease.
• Obesity.
• Hypertension.
• Insulin resistance that can lead to diabetes.

The major thing that makes belly fat dangerous is its role in the development of obesity. Belly fat makes you store fat in your liver. This can interfere with the normal function of the liver in removing insulin from your bloodstream, making your body resistant to insulin. This excess insulin sends a signal to your brain that makes you prone to overeating. This sets up a vicious cycle of eating more and gaining weight.

People with excess belly fat (central obesity) are predisposed to insulin resistance as explained earlier. Insulin resistance is a major contributor of developing of diabetes mellitus type 2 (Type 2 diabetes). Additionally, abdominal fat secrets a group of hormones called adipokines that could further reduce glucose tolerance. Major research studies have confirmed this direct relationship between belly fat and the higher risk of diabetes.

The Waist-Hip Ratio

There is a measurement called the waist-hip ratio (WHR), WHR is the ratio of the circumference of the waist to that of the hips. It is calculated by measuring the smaller circumference of the natural waist, usually just above the belly button, and dividing it by the hip circumference at its widest part of the buttocks or hip. The absolute waist circumference greater than 40 in (102 cm) in men and greater than 35 in (88 cm) in women) and the waist-hip ratio, more than 0.9 for men and more than 0.85 for women are used as measures of central obesity. In a study done by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), WHR has been found to be a more efficient predictor of mortality in older people than waist circumference or body mass index (BMI). If obesity is redefined using WHR instead of BMI, the proportion of people categorized as at risk of heart attack worldwide increases threefold.

How To Get Rid Of Belly Fat

There are a number of exercises that can reduce belly fat; the quick way to lose belly fat is probably through jogging. Belly fat is directly related to our body weight, because as our belly fat increases so does our body weight. So, an exercise that reduces belly fat needs to simultaneously lead to weight loss. Crunches and abdominal exercises are effective for those that are not overly obese. So doing the right exercise for the wrong purposes won’t produce any results, believe me, nothing can be more frustrating. Here are a few tips to help reduce belly fat:

• Jog or walk at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes.
• Try as much as you can to eat less, you don’t have to eat until you are full or filled up. You don’t have to skip mills, just reduce the size of each mill.
• Stay away from drinks that have high calorie content, take water instead, but if you must, do not take too much of it.
• Instead of taking raw sugar, use artificial sweeteners or honey.
• Avoid fast food (junk food); always try to eat a healthy balanced diet.
• Throw in a few crunches and abdominal workouts every now and then.

Now that you know the risks, its time to strip belly fat off. As they say, its time to get it cracking. Put some effort into taking you life in a healthy direction. You might want to try out a fun way to loose that belly fat.