Most women always wish to have or maintain what is popularly known as a “Coke bottle shape” or what is actually called the ‘Figure 8’, but there is always one constant enemy opposing this target and that is belly fat. Dorcas Omunagbe looks at the challenge for women and how to reduce abdominal obesity.
BELLY fat has become a constant struggle for most women and some have even given up the fight. Belly fat or abdominal obesity, or as clinically called, central obesity, is excessive fat around the stomach and abdomen. Everyone has some belly fat, even people that have flat abs, it is only normal. Deji Oluwagbemi says that “Excess fat gets stored mostly in the belly and results to what people refer to as pot belly and it is a major cause of obesity.” He adds that belly fat could be a result of eating junks as well as eating uncontrollably. “The stomach is elastic by nature and would expand continuously if food goes in non-stop, therefore creating more space to accommodate the excess fat from consumed meals, which is what actually leads to abdominal obesity.”
The fact that belly fat does not make one look good or feel good about one self and not leaving aside the fact that such individual will not fit into some clothes has made it a serious issue. The fact that it takes a step in affecting one’s confidence and esteem shows that it goes beyond just not being able to zip up your jean. Abiola Mary opines, “Belly fat makes people big and unattractive. It spoils the body figure or shape as it were and that is why ladies, especially, work out more on their bellies so as to reduce fat level.”
It also bears some relationships that might affect one’s health negatively. Amongst some of the health issues associated with belly fat is diabetes. Central obesity predisposes individuals for insulin resistance. Belly fat secretes some hormones that possibly impair glucose tolerance. In addition, belly fat also has a relationship with asthma. As a result of breathing at low lung volume, the muscles are tighter and the airway is narrower. It is commonly seen that people who are obese breathe quickly and often while inhaling small volumes of air. Abdominal obesity also affects pulmonary function. This means that there is a relationship between belly fat and the functions of the lungs. Most times, people who suffer abdominal obesity breathe heavily than those that don’t.
Abdominal obesity is increasing in the western population as it is now also common place in Nigeria. This is possibly due to a combination of low physical activity and high-calorie diet. Some people are also not very health conscious and just eat whatever seems eatable at whatever time, which also contributes to this. There are various things that might cause belly fat depending on the affected individual. A study has also shown that alcohol consumption is directly associated with waist circumference and with a higher risk of abdominal obesity in men, but not in women, in the present population. Some other people also opine that it could be caused by over eating and eating food not suitable for late hours of the day.
Evans Aje declares: “It is caused by over eating or by drinking a lot of alcohol. I feel it can be prevented by constant exercise and dieting.” With this ongoing struggle, there is a need to recommend prevention and cure, but, of course, prevention is better than cure. There are various health tips for preventing belly fat but here are just a few to look out for.
This includes sleeping often and well, as well as having short bursts of exercises. You also need to avoid sugar because it is the greatest enemy of your body shape. Next, you need to take enough of Vitamin C through fruits and other foods that contain it. Interestingly, you also need to eat fat. It takes fat to burn fat because eating fat does not make you fat, but eating sugar makes you fat. When they say eat fat, it means eat healthy fats. You must make conscious efforts to slow down your breath once you notice you are getting tense and uptight. Take a breath pause and take a deep breath. Sonya Collins adds that proper stress management can also help reduce fat. These are simple but surprisingly effective tips.
Miss Oluwatobi also recommends proper exercise and the right diet. Deji Oluwagbemi adds to this by recommending a vegetable diet. Love Anjorin says, “To prevent belly fat, one should eat early, take lots of water and do not lie down immediately after eating.”
