Large & Loose Stomach Fat

Having a significant buildup of stomach fat might mean your rec league softball teammates jokingly pat your belly for good luck before each game, but the situation is no laughing matter. Not only can having a large belly make you lack confidence in certain situations, but it's also associated with a number of serious health risks.

  1. Belly Fat Among Women

    • MayoClinic.com reports it's common for women to gain more belly fat as they age, but belly fat at any age is unhealthy among women. Belly fat is comprised of subcutaneous fat, located directly beneath your skin, and visceral fat, which sits around your organs. The latter is more serious and can lead to such health issues as colorectal cancer, heart disease and diabetes. In some women, fat around the midsection can be the result of genetics.

    Belly Fat Among Men

    • Large-bellied men might not be as concerned about their image as overweight women, but stomach fat among men is more than just a cosmetic issue. As with women, visceral fat can lead to such health issues as heart disease, diabetes and colorectal cancer. Among men, however, this buildup of fat also contributes to a heightened risk of sleep apnea, which can be fatal. According to MayoClinic.com, it's common for men to lose muscle mass as they age. With less muscle, your body requires fewer calories to operate, and if you don't reduce your calorie intake, you'll often experience fat growth.

    Causes

    • Although aging and genetic factors can play a role in large, loose stomach fat, it's common for people to accumulate fat in this area by continuously consuming more calories than they burn. Doing so can be the result of leading a largely inactive life, frequently consuming a high-calorie diet or both. It doesn't necessarily take a long time for fat to develop; if you consume 3,500 calories more than you burn in a week, you'll gain a pound of fat.

    Losing Your Belly Fat

    • Burning your belly fat isn't necessarily easy, but the process is simple -- you must burn more calories than you consume. You can do so through a variety of methods, but a common approach is to exercise daily and reduce caloric intake. Aim to spend at least 300 minutes per week performing such aerobic exercises as running, swimming, jumping rope and bicycling. Strength training is also an effective way to lose fat, as increasing your muscle mass forces your body to burn more calories. Although you can cut your intake of calories in several ways, simple diet changes to consider include replacing soda with water, consuming more vegetables and snacking on high-protein, healthy foods such as nuts.