Belly fat is unhealthy, just in case you didn’t know. Find out what causes belly fat, the health risks it poses for men and what you can do to lose the extra pounds.

By carrying that few extra pounds, you’re actually putting yourself at a lot of risk. Don’t worry you’re not alone many men find it hard to keep that unwanted belly fat off. This is one case where following the crowd isn’t a good idea. Carrying extra weight, especially belly fat can be risky, very risky.

Why is belly fat a major concern for men?

People who gain belly fat are at greater risk of serious health problems than are people who accumulate fat in other areas. I bet you didn’t know that, but get this; men are more likely to gain that extra weight around the waist than women. Having a large amount of belly fat increases your risk of many things, take a look below:

  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Some types of cancer
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Insulin resistance
  • High triglycerides
  • Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Sleep apnea

What is too much Belly Fat?

Your waist size is the indicator, whether you have too much belly fat or not. Although measurements that compare your hip and waist circumference (waist-to-hip ratio) or compare your height and weight (body mass index) are more precise, your waist size alone can give you a good estimate. For most men, the risk factors for heart disease and other diseases increase with a waist size greater than 40 inches (102 centimeters). (Advice: Try and stay below 40 inches and you decrease your risk, that’s how I see it.)

(Fact: As you age, you lose muscle, especially if you’re not physically active. Muscle loss can slow the rate at which your body burns calories, make sense right. If you don’t burn those calories, than you will gain them. If you don’t limit your calories or increase your physical activity as you get older you will gain weight.)

Don’t forget about your Genes

Your genes can affect your chances of being overweight or obese, as well as where you carry extra fat on your body. For most men, however, the problem likely has more to do with lifestyle than inherited traits.

Do Sit-ups Really Work?

Sit-ups do help your abdominal muscles get stronger, but sit-ups alone won’t specifically reduce belly fat. The best way to shrink your waist size is to lower your total body fat through healthy eating and intense exercise routes.

How do you get rid of belly fat?

Whether you’re trying to lose belly fat or trim fat from another part of your body, weight-loss basics remain the same:

  • Start by reducing your calories.
  • Reduce your portion sizes.
  • Replace your usual snack foods with healthy foods that contain fewer calories.
  • Increase physical activity.
  • After you shed excess pounds, maintain your weight loss with a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

For more information about losing excess belly fat do checkout The Truth About Six Pack Abs.

Don’t think this post is here to scare you, it’s just here to help you understand that health eating and exercising does have benefits. Don’t worry ladies I didn’t forget about you…