Does belly fat have effects other than self image? Things like health, hunger control, diabetes?

Question

I have fibromyalgia, so I can't do a bunch of aerobic exercise. I have about 30 pounds on my waistline, and many diet issues, including symptoms of diabetes without actually having diabetes. I've heard that belly fat effects metabolism and actually makes one feel more hungry. What do you know about this?

Answer 1

definetly...the body fat percentage is a direct indicator of the body's current ability to metabolize sugars efficiently. persons that store the majority of the weight on the waistline need to be aware of the healthy effects regarding central obesity, which is what the BMI was designed for, to measure the risk factor for that.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

Fat around the waist in men is correlated with higher risk of heart problems and that same weight distribution correlates with diabetes in that people with that body type are more likely to develop the disorder.

You don't need to do heavy aerobic exercise in order to lose weight. Because of your fibromyalgia you may want to consider doing pool aerobics as the water will increase resistance while lowering the stress on your body. You may also want to consider some low impact, chair aerobics that will keep you from stressing your lower body while you exercise your upper body.

I've never hear that belly fat effects metabolism. You may be able to ramp up your metabolism by eating smaller, more frequent meals. This will also help keep your blood sugar levels in check.

With these issues it is VERY IMPORTANT that you confer with your doctor before you start a weight loss diet. You may find that getting some exercise every day will help with the other issues more than concentrating on just losing the weight.

Best of luck!

Answer 5

People with wide girths are more likely to have large amounts of deep hidden belly fat around their organs. It may be the most dangerous kind of fat and could increase a person's risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer.

Health Risks Associated With Belly Fat:

- Breast Cancer
Women who are overweight, particularly those who store fat in their stomachs, have higher estrogen levels. Breast cancer stems from excess extrogen production in the body. So researchers are finding links between stomach fat and breast cancer.
Belly fat also leads to raised insulin levels in the body - - another condition that links to breast cancer.


-Diabetes
Weight gain in your stomach and abdomen disturbs your insulin production and increases your blood sugar levels. When this happens, stress is put on your pancrease to make even more insulin.
In the long-run this will overwork your pancrease, causing it to wear out and this is how diabetes develops.


-Heart Disease
Belly fat raises your risk for high blood cholesterol by as much as 50%. A Harvard study found that women with a waist size larger than 31" were twice as likely to suffer a heart attack as those with slimmer waistlines.
Which means as your liver turns more blood sugar into fat, the fat enters your blood stream and then dumps into fatty cells inside your stomach and abdomen. This causes your unhealthy cholesterol levels to rise, which in turn increases your heart attack risk.


-Varicose Veins
Excess belly fat can weigh down the veins in your legs and make it difficult for blood to travel through them.
Veins act as one way valves to prevent the blood from flowing backwards. If veins become weak, blood can leak back into the vein and become clogged.

So in conclusion, waist size is more important than weight.

Answer 6

I have heard that if you tend to hold fat around the stomach it is an indication that you are at higher risk of heart attacks. Excessive weight anywhere is bad for every aspect of your health.

Answer 7

I assume, with the name Homer, that you are male. That being the case, your biggest fear should be one of heart disease. Men, who carry their fat in the bellies, have a much higher chance of heart disease.