Belly fat is not the same as other types of fat in the body. Also known as abdominal obesity or central obesity, belly fat is the accumulation of visceral fat around the core of the body and is responsible for the ever-rising increases in waist size. Visceral fat, as opposed to subcutaneous fat which is found under the skin or intramuscular fat which is interspersed throughout the skeletal muscle, is fat which is accumulated between the internal organs of the body. Due to its deep layering, this visceral belly fat can be particularly troublesome. Not only is it hard to attack, but too much of its accumulation can pose a variety of health risks, most notably heart disease and diabetes.
When people have too much of this visceral belly fat, they may begin to develop a pear shape, sometimes referred to as a beer belly or pot belly. There is, however, little evidence that suggests beer drinkers are any more prone to belly fat than the general population.
Men, more than women, are particularly prone to this odd shaping that belly fat causes. Due to differences in sex hormones, men tend to store more fat in the belly, while women initially store the same type of fat in the hips, legs and buttocks.
Many believe that exercises that specifically target the abdomen will help win the war against belly fat, but this is not necessarily true. Exercises such as sit-ups and crunches, while valuable as a cardiovascular routine and a way to train the muscles in the abdomen, have little or no effect on the visceral fat around the middle. This doesn’t mean that all hope is completely lost. Regular aerobic exercise and a healthy diet can both prevent and reverse the condition of belly fat. While it may be difficult initially, a consistent program that combines both of these methods will eventually prove effective.
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