Here Are Some Belly Fat Causes

Obesity is a common problem, the world over – there are numerous reasons for this, and here are some belly fat causes. Fat in this area is the type of obesity that is seen the most often. It’s also called pot belly, a spare tire or visceral fat.

Belly fat is as often seen in men as in women, and it can bring on other health problems, in addition to affecting the way you look. There are typical factors seen in people with belly fat, including mental, physical and genetic reasons.

The most common belly fat causes are excessive eating, lack of exercise, slow metabolism, menopause, stress, improper digestion and genetics.

Belly fat can certainly be brought on by stress. When you feel stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. This stimulates the storage of fat around your belly. In addition, stress can cause hunger, which will make you want to eat more. This can lead to weight gain that is excessive.

Genetics can play a part in belly fat, too. If your parents had apple or pear shaped bodies, you are in a higher risk group for developing fat around the belly.

If your metabolic rate is slow, this can cause fat in your abdominal area. Slow metabolic rates cause your body to burn fewer calories, and fat then accumulates in excess. You can boost your rate of metabolism by eating a balanced, nutritious diet and by exercising regularly.

If your body does not properly digest what you eat, this leads in some cases to various gastrointestinal issues. You may experience bloating and gas. If you eat late at night, this can interfere with your body’s ability to digest the food properly. If you go to bed after eating, without working some of what you ate off, this can add to abdominal fat storage, too.

If your lifestyle is slow, and you eat a lot without doing much physically, this can lead you to accumulation of fat in the belly, and obesity. You need to burn as many or more calories than you eat, to be healthy.

If you have poor posture, you may appear to have a pot belly or paunch, even if you don’t have a lot of belly fat. Walk with your back straight, and this will improve your appearance.

When you drink alcohol, this decreases the rate at which your body metabolizes calories, and can intensify obesity. The extra calories brought about by drinking alcohol can often be found stored at the abdominal level.

Menopause is a main cause of women’s belly fat. Women going through menopause or having completed menopause build fat around their belly, because of changes in hormone levels.

Mere weight loss will not get rid of belly fat. And you do need to lose weight, but you also need to use a special belly fat diet regimen, which will target the stomach area. This diet will have a proper balance of carbohydrates, fats, proteins and fiber. Swimming, jogging and aerobics can also be helpful in increasing your metabolic rate.