It’s not about washboard abs. It’s what lies beneath. Extra belly fat is a sign that your heart and other organs could be covered by fat too. This can affect how well they work and can lead to health complications.

Why You Need to Watch Your Waistline

An active lifestyle is not enough to overcome excess belly fat.

Diagnosis Life summary:
Physical activity is good for the heart but it may not be enough to overcome excess belly fat. A study in European Journal of Preventive Cardiology (https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwaa151) looked at the activity levels of more than 527,000 adults across three weight groups (normal, overweight, and obese). The researchers also looked at risk factors for heart health, namely high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. While physical activity of any kind decreased a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease, it was not enough to overcome any weight issues. They reported, “Individuals with overweight/obesity were at greater CVD risk than their peers with normal weight, irrespective of physical activity levels.” It is not easy to lose weight but it may be in your best interest to try.

Belly fat may increase your risk for dementia.

Diagnosis Life summary:
Obesity is an epidemic in the United States, affecting more than 40% of Americans. A study in International Journal of Epidemiology (https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyaa099) looked at more than 6,500 adults who did not have dementia. The researchers then checked metrics for weight, namely their BMI and waist circumference (e.g., belly fat or “central obesity”). After 15 years, 6.9% of them developed dementia. Obese men and women (BMI ≥30) and those who had an elevated waist circumference (>36.5 inches for women and >40.2 inches for men) had a 28% increased rate of dementia. Women with a high waist circumference, in particular, had a 39% increased risk of dementia compared with those who had a normal waistline. It is important to maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise to decrease your risk for future health complications.

Eating too much sugar increases fat deposits around the heart and belly.

Diagnosis Life summary:
How much added sugar in food or drink do you take in each day? A study in European Journal of Preventive Cardiology (https://doi.org/10.1177/2047487320931303) tracked the sugar intake of more than 3,000 healthy adults between 18 and 30 years old. After 25 years, the researchers performed CT scans of the chest and abdomen to look for fat deposits in the body. Participants who consumed > 50 grams of sugar per day had more fat around the heart and other organs than those who ate less. This increased their risk for heart disease and diabetes. It implies we should try to monitor our carb loads and not overdo it.