5 days ago
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Belly fat accumulation is often the result of a combination of factors including diet, lifestyle, genetics, and hormones. A diet high in calories, especially from sugary and processed foods, along with a lack of physical activity, are major contributors to weight gain and belly fat.
Additionally, stress, lack of sleep, and genetic predisposition can influence where your body stores fat, including around your abdomen. According to Moses Chybar, wellness coach, losing belly fat is just a part of the solution, as overall, the most important mindset he said is addressing the needs of the entire body.
“Trying to lose belly fat is just looking at a part of the problem. It is far better to say to ourselves that we want to get in great shape. You can say to yourself, you want to raise your health from where it is now to a higher level. Tell yourself that you want to have great energy and a nice balance. All of you must be taken into consideration,” Chybar said.
Chybar is a wellness coach and entrepreneur known for his work with ActionCOACH Jamaica and as a Herbalife Independent Distributor. He focuses on helping individuals achieve healthy lifestyles, offering guidance on weight management, muscle health, and overall well-being. He also co-hosts ‘Health Talk Sundays’, a bi-weekly talk show, and is involved in various community initiatives.
RISK OF VARIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS
Excessive belly fat, particularly visceral fat (fat surrounding the organs), is linked to a higher risk of various health problems. These include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and certain cancers (breast, colon, and others). It can also contribute to fatty liver disease, sleep apnea, and even dementia.
“When you have a lot of fat around the mid-section that we call belly fat, it can pose serious health risks. When the fat starts to gather in the mid-section, it is the body sending a signal that something is out of balance. Research has shown now that a lot of fat around the belly is flirting with non-communicable diseases, and even some cancers,” Chybar said.
Lack of energy and belly fat he said can be interconnected and may stem from various factors, including lifestyle choices, hormonal imbalances, and underlying health conditions. A combination of factors like insufficient sleep, poor diet, lack of exercise, and stress can contribute to both fatigue and belly fat accumulation.
Additionally, hormonal fluctuations, especially during menopause or due to conditions like hypothyroidism, can significantly impact energy levels and fat storage, particularly around the abdomen.
CAUSES OF WEIGHT GAIN
Weight gain primarily occurs when there is an energy imbalance, meaning you consume more calories than you burn through daily activities and exercise. This excess energy is then stored as fat, leading to weight gain. Several factors can contribute to this imbalance and cause weight gain, including diet, lack of physical activity, certain medications, and underlying health conditions.
“Eating too much processed foods, sedentary lifestyle, chronic stress and poor sleep, age related metabolic slowdown, hormonal changes and medical issues are causes of weight gain,” Chybar said.
“In the early days, people walked more; now we drive a lot more these days. People would consume quite a bit of carbs, but they were physically active. Today we are not active, and we sit around our desks working and there is limited natural activities to burn the calories as was done in the past,” he added.
In some cases, he said, the quality of the foods that we are eating is poor. It is best he said to identify the areas of your lifestyle that will potentially affect you, and make gradually changes.
English (US) ·