Fight against abdominal obesity in women
Abdominal obesity consists of an uneven and localized distribution of fat in the belly . This is a problem that needs to be taken seriously because many of the vital organs are located in the abdomen . Abdominal fat surrounding these organs can therefore be responsible for serious diseases. In addition, it increases the risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases as well as type 2 diabetes.
How do you know if you have abdominal obesity?
There are several factors that determine whether one suffers from this disorder. First, the fat must be located mainly in the belly , which gives an apple-shaped silhouette that is usually found in men. If the distribution of fat is on the hips and thighs, it is not abdominal obesity.
Abdominal obesity can be measured by waist circumference . Indeed, if the waist circumference is between 80 and 88 cm you are overweight. If it exceeds 88 centimeters , it may be abdominal obesity. We advise you, however, to confirm the diagnosis with a complete lipid profile as well as the measurement of blood pressure.
Warning: the BMI is not a revealing tool of abdominal obesity, because it does not take into account the distribution of fat.
What are the causes of abdominal obesity in women?
Usually the problem is hormonal , because hormones determine where fat is going to be stored in the body. A good hormonal balance therefore ensures that women have a good distribution of fat. Thus, a low level of estrogen and progesterone as well as a high level of testosterone will cause excess fat to be located in the belly. You also have to pay attention to your insulin level , the fat-storing hormone. Indeed, it can increase depending on the number of calories ingested.
Abdominal obesity in women can also be due to stress . Indeed, if the level of cortisol – the stress hormone – is high, this will promote the appearance of abdominal fat. You can also suffer from excess abdominal fat from the age of forty or during menopause, because the body changes and the distribution of fat is modified.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.