The Dangers of Belly Fat

According to Statistics Canada, the number of overweight to obese people in this country have risen steadily over the years, as determined by a calculation of body mass index (BMI). Blamed on such reasons as a sedentary lifestyle, convenience foods, or poor dietary habits, this trend isn't unique to Canada. It's a worldwide phenomenon.

So, if you've got a spare tire, you're just one of the millions of people around the world who also have one - which doesn't make looking in the mirror any easier, does it?

We all know that excess fat can be a health risk, and when it's located mainly in the abdominal area, it can become a major threat to your well being. Belly fat has been pinpointed as the cause of several health problems due to several factors, such as its proximity to the heart and other vital organs. It increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers. Having excess belly fat can also prevent you from processing insulin, and when there's too much insulin, Type 2 diabetes may result (Health Canada reports that there are over 60,000 new cases of Type 2 diabetes in the country annually!)

Although women tend to have a higher amount of body fat, fewer of the fairer sex have excess fat concentrated in their abdominal area. Pot bellies, love handles and spare tires are generally a problem that affects more men then women, since they have a tendency to store fat in their stomachs.

Get Rid of It

Here are a few things you can do to lose that belly fat.

Diet and exercise. It's easy to say but one of the most difficult things to do. Plain old dieting and exercising will shed the fat. Increase the energy you expend and decrease the amount of food you consume, but don't go overboard – along with all of the problems related to malnutrition, it can also make your body go into starvation mode, which makes it even more difficult to lose weight.

Build Muscle. This helps boost your metabolism and burn more calories throughout the day.

Limit alcohol intake. Beer and other alcoholic drinks are loaded with calories and they also increase your appetite. There may only be 140 calories in your average bottle of beer*, but drinking a few and eating will easily surpass your daily caloric requirement.

A Word About Fat Removal with Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery may eliminate excess fat with such treatments as liposuction, tummy tucks and UltraShape. However, the fat removed is only the kind that lies right underneath the skin (subcutaneous).

The most dangerous fat, the type that surrounds internal organs, cannot be removed with cosmetic surgery. That's why any type of aesthetic treatment targeting fat is not a method of weight loss and should be accompanied by a healthy lifestyle before and after surgery. Doing so will maintain results and promote the reduction of visceral fat.

*according to the Brewers Association of Canada

Back to the Learning Centre

Information about Body Contouring and Belt Lipectomy

More Information about Fat Transfer and Cellulite:

Fat Transfer Procedure Toronto
Preparing for the Fat Transfer at Toronto Cosmetic Clinic
All About Fat
How the Body Gains and Stores Fat
5 Tips to Fight Fat Gain
All About Belly Fat
All About Cellulite
Cellulite Causes
Common Myths about Cellulite
FAQ