While most people develop excess fat belly due to overweight, some may develop excess fat belly due to their inherited genes. This excess fat is known as visceral fat and it can pose threat to one’s health.
Why is visceral fat dangerous to your health?
Visceral fat is hidden deep inside your abdomen and surrounds some of the most vital internal organs such as the pancreas, the liver, and the intestines.
According to HealthLine, men are at more risk when their waist measures 40 inches or larger, and women are at more risk when their waist measures 35 inches or larger. Women are even at a greater risk after they reach menopause. A study in 2017 found that both body fat and belly fat contribute to the risk of breast cancer in women.
Five health risks associated with excess belly
Here are some of the health risks you might be exposed to if you have excess belly fat.
- Metabolic diseases
- Fatty liver disease
- Insulin resistance
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
How can you reduce belly fat?
Because all of us have different body shapes, some of us have to pay more attention to our belly area when exercising. You might also have to watch your diet and cut on food that contains high cholesterol. According to HealthLine, a person should not have more than 300 mg cholesterol intake per day.
Some of the foods which contain just about enough cholesterol you should take each day:
- About four pieces of chicken
- Not more than four croissants
- Not more than twelve slices of cheese
- Fourteen small scoops of ice-cream
- and not more than two sticks of butter