WHY SHOULD POT BELLIES BE A CONCERN TO US?

    

WHY SHOULD  POT BELLIES BE A CONCERN TO US?

     Pot bellies have always been perceived as an indicator of obesity or being "fat". Nothing seem to have changed over the years but guys have more insights on its repercussion. It's  physiologically defined as accumulation of excess visceral and subcutaneous fat around the abdominal region. This statement gives insights on its origin. Genetics and lifestyle choices play a big role but some chronic conditions could also contribute to it. Age for both genders play a part in it as well. It's mostly as a product of decrease in physical activity, hormonal changes, availability of options where possible and a decrease in muscle mass. The older we get, sarcopenia kicks in resulting in loss of muscle mass which is replaced with fat mass. Lack of physical activities and exercising could quicken the process as we age. It's difficult to control fat distribution in the body. The number of adipose cells around different regions could dictate where the fat is distributed. 



It's easier to spot a pot belly in a man than a woman. This is as a result of their structure which most times will be an apple-like shape. A wide upper body complemented by a small-framed lower body. It's harder for women for most end up with a pear-shape body to mean a small-framed upper body complemented by a wide frame at the mid section downwards. 


What are some of the most reliable mechanisms of measuring the abdominal state?

The standard hip to waist ratio analyses has been the most used mechanism for the longest. According to WHO, 0.9 or less is best for males and 0.85 or less is best for females. Rise in technology has made it more precise knowing the exact amount and specific region of fat accumulation.   https://www.dexascan.com/  is among the up to date technologies highly recommended for body composition. It's also used to measure bone density and other relatable conditions like osteoporosis. 

Here is a detailed copy of the Dexa report.

Why is it common in middle aged wealthy men?

Most of us agree that among ten wealthy guys we know, above average have pot bellies. Inarguably, it's not as a result of age but life style habits. Availability of options and being sedentary highly attributes to this. To whom more is given more is expected. Some might argue that this could be the leading factor to their increase in stress levels most times. Rise in cortisol levels also known as the stress hormone contributes to binging and other alternatives to keep the levels at bay. This in the long run becomes a lifestyle habit which is catalyzed by lack of enough physical activities. In other cases, genetics or a chronic condition could be a factor as well. Could it be the case with married men?

Some of the most reliable ways of going about it.

Having a family background of getting pot bellies especially around a specific age gap, should be a wake up call to stay vigilant. Having clues on what triggers it for example consumption of certain foods and drinks or rise in stress levels would make the control easier. Complementing this with a well structured workout regimen that boosts muscle mass and help in reduction of fat mass would be a huge stepping stone. Checking on our nutrition and making sure we eat right most of the time would be a key factor. Regular medical check-ups would help in early detection of anything that might act as a barrier in future. 


All these doesn't mean that having shredded abs is the solution. The main point is having a reduced amount of fat around the abdominal region. Doing a million sit ups won't solve the problem but being cautious of the points discussed above and taking action is the most reliable way of going about it.




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