The Dangers of Belly Fat

Many people aren't aware of just how serious the dangers of belly fat are. Here's what you need to know about how belly fat can affect your health.

While excess subcutaneous fat can certainly accumulate in the belly area (above the ab muscles), it's usually excess visceral fat that causes the belly to bulge.There are two types of body fat - subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. Subcutaneous fat is stored just underneath the skin. Visceral fat, better known as belly fat, is stored mostly underneath the abdominal wall (under the ab muscles), where it pads the spaces between the liver, stomach and other internal organs.

Excess belly fat has more of a negative impact on health than excess subcutaneous fat. This is because belly fat is metabolically active tissue that secretes inflammatory substances that can be harmful to the body. These inflammatory substances affect internal organs and can contribute to a variety of health problems.

The dangers of belly fat are numerous. Having too much belly fat increases the risk of developing the following health problems:

• Cardiovascular Disease
• High Blood Pressure
• Stroke
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Breast and Colon Cancer
• Dementia

There's also a link between excess belly fat and an increased risk of premature death. One study found that each five centimeter increase in waist size (a little less than two inches) raises the risk of premature death by 17% in men and 13% in women.

Even if you're not overweight, you may still have too much belly fat. There are plenty of people whose weight is normal or low based on Body Mass Index (BMI) or height and weight charts who have an unhealthy amount of belly fat.

The most effective way to lose belly fat is also the most effective way to lose body fat anywhere else on your body: combine a fat loss nutrition plan with a fat loss exercise routine.

A fat loss nutrition plan is not the same as a diet. A diet is a temporary way of eating that produces temporary results. Any belly fat you lose on a diet you'll most likely gain back once the diet ends and you go back to your old eating habits. A fat loss nutrition plan is a permanent way of eating that will help you lose belly fat and keep it off.

A fat loss exercise routine should include aerobic exercise and strength training, as both types of exercise are very effective ways to burn belly fat and overall body fat. There are also plenty of health and fitness benefits associated with aerobic exercise and strength training.

A great resource that shows you how to create a fat loss nutrition plan and a fat loss exercise routine is Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle. To learn more about Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle, Click Here.

In conclusion, the dangers of belly fat have to be taken very seriously. Belly fat is not just unattractive, it's also very unhealthy.