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Losing Belly Fat for Men



Belly fat is a big health risk for men. Studies show that men who have too much abdominal fat are at greater risk of health problems such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, and some types of cancer. For this reason, losing belly fat for men is crucial.

Do You have Too Much Belly Fat?

They may be called “love handles” but there is nothing appealing about belly fat or visceral fat. Your waistline provides a good estimate of how much abdominal fat you have. In general, men with a waistline exceeding 40 inches need to lose belly fat in order to reduce the risk of heart disease and other health problems.

What Can Be Done to Lose Belly Fat?

Losing belly fat for men is important because of the health issues associated with excess visceral fat mentioned above. Unfortunately, belly or visceral fat is one of the most difficult types of fats to get rid of. If you want to reduce belly fat there are ways to speed up weight loss and get a flatter stomach. Just remember that not everyone can have six-pack abs. What’s important, however, is for you to trim down those extra inches in order to reduce the risk of serious health issues in the future.

Losing Belly Fat for Men

Losing Belly Fat for Men

The following steps can help you lose the extra fat in your stomach:

  • Do cardiovascular exercises. Exercise is vital not only for weight loss but also for long-term health and fitness. It burns calories and fats, allowing you to lose body and abdominal fat.
  • Build muscle. While cardio exercise helps burn fat, strength training builds muscles and raises your metabolism, thus burning more calories. Some of the best exercises for losing belly fat for men include lifting weights and doing sit-ups, crunches and pushups.
  • Eat healthy foods. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. They provide plenty of nutrients but are generally low in calories. If you want to get rid of abdominal fat, you have to consume fewer calories than you burn. Eliminate junk foods and fatty foods from your diet.
  • Exercise your abdominal muscles. By strengthening your abs, your stomach will become flat more quickly. Situps and crunches will develop your abdominal muscles and lay down the foundation for rock-hard abs and a sculpted stomach.

Multiple studies show that aerobic exercise is more effective than weight training when it comes to losing belly fat for men. If you want a flat stomach, cut back on calorie-laden foods and do aerobic exercises in order to burn more calories.

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Weight Loss Exercise

Health Risks of Childhood Obesity


There is a lot of concern over the growing rate of childhood obesity today.  In the United States, at least one child in every five is overweight or obese.  Genetic factors play a role but the primary causes of obesity are consumption of high-calorie foods and inadequate physical activity.

Due to the rising rate of obesity, weight-related diseases are becoming common among children and adolescents.  There are many health risks of childhood obesity, including the following.

Health Risks of Childhood Obesity

Type 2 Diabetes – Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease linked to childhood obesity.  An increasing number of overweight children and teenagers suffer from this medical condition.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in three children in the United States will develop diabetes in their lifetime.

High Blood Pressure – Children who are obese or overweight are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, which can lead to other health risks such as heart disease.

Cardiovascular Disease – Overweight children often suffer from high cholesterol levels as well as high blood pressure.  These two medical conditions are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.  Hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis is linked to high cholesterol levels in the blood, and is the most common cause of heart disease.  It can begin as early as childhood in overweight children.

Health Risks of Childhood Obesity

Health Risks of Childhood Obesity

Breathing Problems – Other health risks associated with child obesity are asthma and sleep apnea.  A large number of overweight children suffer from asthma.  Obese children can also have trouble sleeping as a result of obstructive sleep apnea.  This is a serious breathing disorder wherein the sufferer’s breathing is briefly interrupted during sleep.  If left untreated, apnea can lead to heart failure.

Gallstones and Liver Problems – Children and teenagers who are obese are likely to have gallstones.  Obese children are also at risk of fatty liver disease and liver problems that could lead to cirrhosis.

Orthopedic and Other Complications – Excessive weight bearing down on the body can cause orthopedic and joint problems.  Obese children suffer more often from fractures, muscle problems, arthritis, joint pain and bone deformities.

Metabolic Syndrome – It is estimated that 25% to 40% of overweight children will develop metabolic syndrome that could lead to diabetes and heart ailments.  Metabolic syndrome linked to weight problems include high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and abnormal lipid levels.

Future Health Risks – Child obesity carries health risks not only in the present but also in the future.  Children and teenagers who are overweight or obese are more likely to become obese adults.  Obesity in adults has a direct negative impact on their health and well-being.  In addition to increased cardiovascular risk, adults who are obese are more likely to suffer from diabetes and to develop certain forms of cancer.

What You Can Do Now

Childhood obesity is a serious health problem that should be dealt with as early as possible.  There are treatment options for obese children, such as diet and gastric bypass, but health professional believe that prevention is the best way to combat childhood obesity.  Parents should provide a balanced and healthy diet for their children.  They should also set a good example by leading a healthy lifestyle, eating nutritious foods, and encouraging their children to participate in regular physical activities.

 

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Weight Loss Exercise

Surgical Weight Loss: Options, Benefits and Risks

While regular exercise and a healthy diet is recognized as the ideal way to maintain a normal weight, there are some individuals for whom weight loss surgery or bariatric surgery is the only option remaining. People who are morbidly obese and have tried and failed to lose weight using conventional methods are turning to surgical weight loss as a solution. Bariatric surgery is recommended only for people with severe obesity; that is, with a body mass index above 40. Weight loss surgery is also offered to people with BMI between 35 and 40 if they also suffer from obesity-related health problems such as diabetes or sleep apnea.

Surgical Weight Loss Options

When diet, exercise or weight loss medications are not enough to reach and maintain a healthy weight, people who suffer from severe obesity can resort to a number of surgical options for weight loss:

* Gastric Bypass. A gastric bypass allows you to lose weight in two ways: first, by limiting the amount of food ingested and second, by reducing the amount of nutrients you absorb from your food. This is done by creating a smaller stomach pouch which is attached to the lower part of the small intestine. The smaller stomach holds less food so you feel full sooner. Also, fewer calories are absorbed because the food bypasses a portion of the stomach and small intestine.

* Lap Banding. This surgical weight loss procedure uses an adjustable band inserted in the stomach to give a feeling of fullness and limit the amount of food consumed. The lap band can be tailor-made for the patient. It is also adjustable after surgery so that you can eat more or less food as needed.

* Gastric sleeve. This type of stomach reduction surgery is one of the newer options for surgical weight loss. It makes the stomach smaller by removing up to 85% of the stomach, leaving only a narrow, banana-shaped tube. With a smaller stomach, you will feel full even with less food. This weight loss surgical procedure is safer compared to gastric bypass because it does not rearrange the digestive anatomy. It may also be safer than lap banding since no foreign objects are introduced into the digestive system.

Benefits

* Quick and effective weight loss. Most patients start to lose weight immediately following surgery. In general, patients lose weight rapidly within 6 months to one year. Weight loss often continues until two years after the surgical procedure., and few patients regain it.

* Improved health conditions. A number of studies found that weight loss surgery can return blood sugar levels to normal in patients with type 2 diabetes. There is also an improvement in obesity-related health conditions such as sleep apnea and high blood pressure.

* Psychosocial adjustment. As patients reach a more normal weight, their self-esteem and self-image also improve and they are better able to function in society.

Risks

* Side effects. Patients may experience vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, flatulence, and dizziness.

* Nutritional deficiencies. Surgical weight loss may be accompanied by nutritional deficiencies including anemia and osteoporosis.

* Complications. After weight loss surgery, some patients may suffer from complications such as abdominal hernias, infections, gallstones, or breakdown of the staple line used to make the stomach smaller.

* Lifestyle changes. Bariatric surgery often requires permanent lifestyle changes for significant and lasting weight loss.


Surgical Weight Loss: Options, Benefits and Risks

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