The Dangers of Excess Belly Fat
Belly fat poses a problem for people who want to look good in their clothes. In some cases belly fat hangs over your belt or makes that sexy dress impossible to wear. But the true problem with belly fat is not the cosmetic problems it can cause – it’s the health problems it can cause.
Excess belly fat is turning out to be more serious than fat in other areas of the body. While you may not revel in the fat that’s on your hips, thighs, butt, and arms these areas don’t pose a major threat to your health. But fat around the middle of your waist does seem to pose a health risk.
People who have excess belly fat often have more difficult with chronic disease issues. There has been a direct correlation between belly fat accumulation and problems with diabetes. Having excess belly fat can cause your body to become resistant to insulin which helps to regulate blood sugar. When it becomes resistant, you may become diabetic.
Diabetes is a serious condition that affects your blood sugar and circulation. People with excess belly fat tend to have higher cholesterol, higher blood sugar, and higher blood pressure. That means that they are at a greater risk for heart disease and stroke.
The kind of excess belly fat that you have matters. Having fat just below the skin, but above the muscle is not terribly dangerous. This fat doesn’t have metabolic activity that leads to disease. However the fat that is beneath the muscle and surrounds your organs is very dangerous and is the culprit when it comes to diabetes and heart disease risk factors.
If you’re not sure whether you’re in danger from excess belly fat, you’ll need to take a simple measurement. Using a measuring tape measure the circumference of your waist. If it’s below 39 inches, you’re probably not at very high risk. But if it’s over 39 inches, it’s time to take steps now to eliminate excess belly fat.
If you’re below 39 inches, but you’re getting close, now is the time to prevent problems. By taking control of your diet, exercise, stress levels, and amount of sleep you’ll be able to get rid of excess belly fat and achieve better health. It’s much easier to prevent disease than it is to treat it once you have it. Getting rid of excess belly fat will improve your heart health and decrease your risk of contracting diabetes.
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