Pot Belly; Causes And Treatment

A pot belly is, simply, excess belly fat. Generally, fat around the stomach area that’s more than one inch thick will appear as a “pot belly”. Weak stomach muscles, when combined with excess belly fat, usually make a pot belly appear more prominent.

In Ghana, pot belly is quite common in men above 40 years. In today’s article, we will be looking at the causes of pot belly in men and also women and possible solutions to such fatness.

CAUSES

1)  LESS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Over the years, people who have generally become physically active are growing rate of obesity, abdominal obesity. These days people don’t trek even short distances anymore rather they take a cab. Some work at jobs that entail sitting for 6-8hours under air conditioners with little or no time to walk from office to office as they always have secretaries and receptionists at their beck and call. This causes pot belly.

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2)  EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL INTAKE

Taking in of alcohol is not bad, but too much consumption is risky to one’s health. Alcohol intake is the surest and easy way to get a pot belly.

3)  INADEQUATE SLEEP.

Having less sleep during the day or night contribute to belly fat in both men and women. It is advisable to have enough sleep. One is advised to sleep at least 8 hours a day.

4. Genetic Constitution

Genetic constitution influence a lot of things about us including our physical make up. As regards abdominal obesity, the genes that code for leptin and cortisol receptors have been implicated. Though men generally store more fat on the abdomen but some men have a greater tendency to do so. If you have a familial history of pot belly, what I mean by this is that if pot belly runs in your family, then you have increased chances of inheriting it.