In a rush? Here are the top reasons why you have belly fat:
- Calorie surplus
- Slow metabolism
- Genetics
- Poor mental health
- Hormones
Top 5 Reasons Why You Have Belly Fat
People can easily gain weight due to a variety of reasons. The biggest issue with weight gain is that it can lead to a host of other health complications. You might be reading this piece because you’ve struggled with belly fat. There are two forms of belly fat, subcutaneous and visceral fat. Subcutaneous fat is the stubborn type. It normally accumulates around the thigh area in women and around the belly in men. So, what causes this stubborn belly fat?
1. Calorie Surplus
If you consume more calories than you burn, you’re likely to gain weight. Generally, poor nutritional habits will eventually lead to weight gain. You might be tempted to point a finger at specific foods, including carbs and sugar, but the truth is that the calories consumed throughout the week add up to the weight you will gain.
The key to ensuring you find the right balance of calories is to exercise more often and watch your portions. It’s worth noting that sedentary lifestyles can also lead to weight gain. When you’re sitting down the whole day without doing anything, you consume fewer calories, and the body doesn’t work hard to expend what you consume. So, the body tends to conserve energy by slowing down the metabolism.
2. Slow Metabolism
You might be struggling with unsightly belly fat because of your slow metabolism. Luckily, there are many ways you can speed up your metabolism, including fasting. The problem with a slow metabolism is that it may be harder to lose weight despite your efforts. Individuals with a faster metabolism may not struggle that much to lose weight or even burn belly fat.
Nonetheless, it should be noted that metabolism only impacts a small fraction of your weight loss campaign. You only need to focus on ensuring you consume healthy and nutritious foods to speed up your metabolism.
3. Genetics
It’s sad that you can select where your body stores fat. Genetics will impact where the body stores fat since some will store fat around the belly. By equal measure, you can’t also determine where you want to lose weight. Raising your awareness of what you eat and making exercise a priority can help prevent weight gain.
4. Poor Mental Health
Abdominal obesity can also be caused by psychological and physical stress. The stress hormone cortisol often leads to fat accumulation. Therefore, when dealing with stress, you might notice that you’re gaining weight instead of losing. Research shows that this can be attributed to the fact that stress can increase appetite, ultimately leading to weight gain.
5. Fluctuating Hormones
Your hormonal health can also make it difficult for you to deal with belly fat.
You now know some of the reasons why you have belly fat. Losing belly fat is a challenge, and it makes a lot of sense that you know the cause before you can work on it.
FAQs
What causes belly fat in females?
Typically, if you eat more calories than your body expends, you’re likely to gain weight. In most cases, fat is deposited around the belly area.
Why do you gain weight in your stomach and back?
Your lifestyle preferences may cause weight gain around the belly area. The chances are that you don’t exercise that much, but you eat a lot.
What causes belly fat in males?
Men with sedentary lifestyles are more likely to have big bellies. The likelihood of getting big bellies also increases with age.