Health risks of belly fat
Fat man with a pot belly. Belly fat is associated with metabolic syndrome, a condition that includes too much fat around the waistline, elevated blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol and increased blood sugar levels. PHOTO| FILE| NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Belly fat is associated with metabolic syndrome, a condition that includes too much fat around the waistline, elevated blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol and increased blood sugar levels
- There are are two types of fat found in the bodies. Subcutaneous fat, which is fat right below the skin and visceral fat which is fat that is deeper in the body
Did you know that out of all the fat you have in the body, excess belly fat is the most dangerous?
Belly fat is associated with metabolic syndrome, a condition that includes too much fat around the waistline, elevated blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol and increased blood sugar levels.
Fat in itself is not bad. In fact, it is the main source of energy in our bodies. However, too much of it is dangerous.
There are are two types of fat found in the bodies. Subcutaneous fat, which is fat right below the skin and visceral fat which is fat that is deeper in the body.
This is the excess fat that forms around the organs. When we gain weight, our bodies start to store fat in very unusual places. The cells that normally store fat in our bodies begin to expand and even multiply to accommodate the excess fat.
Once there is no more room in the expanded cells to store this fat, the fat gets deposited around body organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys.
TOXIC SUBSTANCES
The visceral fat is dangerous because it produces substances that are toxic to our bodies. These toxins and poisons attach themselves mostly to fat and therefore if one has excess fat then they are at a risk of not only getting many of the related diseases.
The amount of fat stored in your body depends on genetics and lifestyle especially diet and lack of exercise. Visceral fat increases where there is no activity meaning even thin people can have visceral fat.
There are various methods a doctor can determine if you have excess belly fat. A CT scan or an MRI are precise methods but these methods are not only complicated but expensive and cannot be done routinely.
PROCEDURE
A doctor can also use fat caliphers, which pinch the skin at various points to determine its thickness.
The other is by measuring the waist circumference. While standing up, wrap the tape around the belly button. The waistline should then be less than 35 inches for women and less than 40 inches for men.
If yours is above these limits then you are at risk of above mentioned diseases.
The best way to reduce belly fat is by exercising, diet, sleep and stress management.
