Belly fat is an age-related problem that generally most women will deal with, especially after menopause, when there is an increase in belly fats. This will not only give someone trouble inserting themselves into their favorite jeans but also indicate the onset of serious health conditions.
Learn below the causes of belly fat, its risks, and effective measures employed to reduce it.
Reasons behind belly fat
The main reasons for increasing belly fat are:
- Eating habits: As you consume fewer calories than you have used over the day’s course, the excess of that calorific intake gets put to fat.
- Inactivity: Muscles have to move to actively age. Muscle loss inevitably occurs from aging if you do not stay active over the years. Lost muscle mass lowers your body’s calorie consumption and thus gains weight.
- Hormonal changes: The estrogen hormone reduces secretion after menopause, such that the fat location changes in the body and starts accumulating in and around the stomach.
- Genetic (heredity): Your genes also determine where and how your body stores fat.
What is the danger of belly fat?
The fat in the stomach is not only the fat which lies underneath skin (subcutaneous fat) but also that fat which lies deep around intestines (visceral fat). This type of fat is considered very dangerous, as it can bring about many dangerous diseases:
- Hypertension
- Heart diseases
- Diabetes
- Fatty liver
- Sleep apnea
- Fatal cancers
- Stroke
- Premature death
Does belly fat indicate poor health?
To find out how much fat is in your waist, follow these steps:
- Stand upright and place the tape measure unwrapped, above the turf bone, on your skin-clean waist.
- Tape the measure tight against the skin without actually compressing it.
- Take a measurement while breathing out comfortably and without tensing the stomach.
For women, anything more than 35 inches (89 centimeters) waist is unhealthy fat.
Tips on how to lose belly fat
Eat healthy diet For example:
- Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Prefer low-fat protein sources such as fish and low-fat dairy products.
- Limit processed meats and high-fat dairy products.
- Eat healthy fats (such as mono- and polyunsaturated fats from fish, nuts, and vegetable oils).
- Choose your plate size wisely: – Make your portions smaller at home. – Share or half-pack at restaurants.
- Avoid sugary beverages: – Drink water or unsweetened beverages.
- Physical activity:
- Healthy adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise each week (like brisk walking or running).
- Strength training should occur twice a week.
- Combine strength training exercise with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to help reduce belly fat.
Long-term weight maintenance
While intern reducing belly fat may require several trials and effort patience, it doesn’t go overnight. “Keep in mind that slow, steady weight loss is the way to go, rather than quick fixes. Consult your doctor to draw up a suitable plan.”
Conclusion
It is not only about fitness but also a health challenge that belly fat poses to women. Properly exercised, a healthy lifestyle will keep it in check. Not only will the right diet and activity keep belly fat at bay but other health problems as well.
Work on your health and improve your efforts from time to time so that you can live a healthy and happy life.
FAQs
Q1. What exactly makes women gain weight circumference wise as they age?
Ans: Muscle mass reduces with aging in women, metabolism slows down and also major hormonal changes such as menopause with lower estrogen levels cause fat deposition in the belly area.
Q2. What health risks are linked to belly fat?
Ans: Belly fat increases the chances of getting high blood pressure, heart diseases, diabetes, fatty liver, sleep apnea, stroke and some cancers.
Q3. How do I know if my belly fat is unhealthy?
Ans: Using a tape measure, at the level of the hip bone, rove the body around your bare stomach. A waist size over 35 inches means more health risk for women.