National Obesity Forum
Overweight and obesity effect men as much as women. In the past what was dismissed with a laugh as ‘having a bit of a beer belly’ is now recognised as a symptom of harmful changes in the body that may have severe effects on health.
For men especially, the buildup of fat within the belly – known as visceral adipose tissue or VAT – can:
- change the balance of hormones released within the body
- reflect adverse cholesterol levels and other factors that may lead to heart disease
- may cause liver disease known as Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- indicate that the person may be on the way from pre-diabetes to Type 2 diabetes
- sometimes this concealed fat in the belly can be a hidden link to problems in bed too
Talking to your doctor is the first step to getting some of your weight off and your health back.
Questions to ask yourself:
If I stand up straight can I see my toes?
How many notches have I had to open on my trouser belt?
Grab a tape-measure and check your waist circumference. It’s more important than checking height and weight. If your waist circumference is more than 94 cm (37 inches) then it’s time to get cracking and do something about it.
If your waist circumference is more than 102 cm (40 inches) then you really need to check with your GP to get some of your health risks assessed and start working on getting your waist into better shape.
Remember – that hard packed fat around your heart and other organs in the abdominal region is pumping out the hormones that increase your health risks and lower your testosterone levels.
Finding ways to reduce that belly fat (both through eating differently and getting around on your feet more) will be a lifesaver – literally.
So why wait to tackle your weight – start today.