• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Breaking Muscle

Breaking Muscle

Breaking Muscle

  • Fitness
  • Workouts
    • Best Shoulder Workouts
    • Best Chest Workouts
    • Best Leg Workouts
    • Best Leg Exercises
    • Best Biceps Exercises
    • Best Kettlebell Exercises
    • Best Back Workouts
    • Best HIIT Workouts
    • Best Triceps Exercises
    • Best Arm Workouts
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Best Pre-Workout
      • Best Bodybuilding Supplements
      • Best Supplements for Weight Loss
      • Best Creatine
      • Best BCAAs
      • Best Multivitamin for Men
      • Best Collagen Supplement
      • Best Probiotic
      • Best Non-Stim Pre-Workout
      • Best Magnesium Supplements
      • Athletic Greens AG1 Review
    • Protein
      • Best Protein Powder
      • Best Whey Protein
      • Best Protein Powders for Muscle Gain
      • Best Mass Gainer
      • Best Protein Shakes
      • Best Organic Protein Powder
      • Best Pea Protein Powder
      • Best Protein Bars
    • Strength Equipment
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Weight Benches
      • Best Functional Trainers
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Adjustable Dumbbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Resistance Bands
      • Best Trap Bars
    • Cardio Equipment
      • Best Cardio Machines
      • Best Rowing Machines
      • Best Treadmills
      • Best Weighted Vests
  • News
  • Exercise Guides
    • Legs
      • Back Squat
      • Bulgarian Split Squat
      • Goblet Squat
      • Zercher Squat
      • Standing Calf Raise
      • Hack Squat
    • Chest
      • Bench Press
      • Dumbbell Bench Press
      • Close-Grip Bench Press
      • Incline Bench Press
    • Shoulders
      • Overhead Dumbbell Press
      • Lateral Raise
    • Arms
      • Chin-Up
      • Weighted Pull-Up
      • Triceps Pushdown
    • Back
      • Deadlift
      • Trap Bar Deadlift
      • Lat Pulldown
      • Inverted Row
      • Bent-Over Barbell Row
      • Single-Arm Dumbbell Row
      • Pendlay Row
Fitness

Your Belly Fat Could Be The Death Of You

The analysis of the data proved that a predisposition to a higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) did lead to higher levels of glucose, insulin, lipids, and systolic blood pressure. The fact that men...

Written by Andy Peloquin Last updated on March 31, 2017

Belly fat is a much greater concern for men than for women. The female body tends to store excess fat around the thighs, buttocks, and the backs of the arms, but for guys, the excess fat usually goes straight to the gut. The fat that accumulates around the midsection has been linked to a wide range of health problems: everything from metabolic syndrome to an increased risk of certain types of cancer.

Here are two more to add to your list: type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. According to a new study out of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, abdominal fat can either be the direct cause of these health problems, or they can be one of the risk factors. The researchers collected data from over 430,000 people from around the UK and U.S., all taken between 2005 and 2011. They analyzed the data to determine whether a greater waist-to-hip ratio (a marker of obesity and excess belly fat) could contribute to higher blood pressure, glucose levels, insulin levels, and blood lipid levels. All of these things play a role in coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Click to enlarge

The analysis of the data proved that a predisposition to a higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) did lead to higher levels of glucose, insulin, lipids, and systolic blood pressure. Those with a higher WHR had a greater risk of developing both diabetes and coronary heart disease.

Interestingly enough, the study found that the distribution of body fat is almost as important as the amount. Those with a lot of excess fat around their midsection (abdomen) had a higher chance of developing these health problems than those with a higher BMI overall but not a significantly higher WHR. The fact that men tend to accumulate fat around their midsection is one of the primary reason they are in greater danger of suffering from diabetes and coronary heart disease than women.

Let that be a good lesson for us all. While excess body fat poses plenty of danger, the real threat is the excess fat that accumulates around the belly. For researchers, it points to the need for a therapy or treatment to reduce belly fat specifically rather than dealing with overall adiposity. For individuals, it highlights the importance of controlling body fat and belly fat through exercise, diet, and a healthy lifestyle. If we let the abdominal fat get out of control, we could end up paying for it with our lives.

Reference:

1. Emdin CA, Khera AV, Natarajan P, Klarin D, Zekavat SM, Hsiao AJ, Kathiresan S., “Genetic Association of Waist-to-Hip Ratio With Cardiometabolic Traits, Type 2 Diabetes, and Coronary Heart Disease.” JAMA. 2017;317(6):626-634. doi:10.1001.

Andy Peloquin

About Andy Peloquin

Sports and exercise have always been a huge part of my life. I played my first basketball game at age 6, and have tried just about every sport on the planet -- save golf and croquet. Being a large, hefty lad (currently standing at 6' 6" and weighing 275 lbs), I am passionate about weights, cycling, running, sprint training, and practicing martial arts. I'm currently a green belt in Karate, Taekwondo, Hapkido, and kickboxing, and work hard to take my skills to the next level. Fitness and health are my passion, and I love writing and sharing what I know. I am a certified Professional Trainer and always looking for ways help others meet their health and fitness goals.

View All Articles

Recommended Articles

Social Media Fire: Gyms and Butt Pics
growmusclesprimer1
The Ultimate Guide to Muscle Gain and Hypertrophy
Analyzing High Versus Low-Load Resistance Training Methodologies
euphorichiitworkouts
HIIT: Work Through the Pain to Reach Euphoria

Primary Sidebar

Latest Articles

Regan Grimes Kicks Off 2023 Mr. Olympia Prep With Grueling Back and Biceps Workout

Best Massage Guns for Runners, Back Pain, Under $100, and More (2023)

CrossFit Games Athletes, Powerlifting Champion Among Big Names to Join Gladiator TV Series Reboot 

Best Functional Trainers of 2023 for Small Spaces, With Smith Machines, and More

Latest Reviews

Pure Protein, Jacked Factory, and RXBAR protein bars on a red background

Best Protein Bars for Weight Loss, Muscle Gain, and More (2023)

Best Magnesium Supplements of 2023 for Better Sleep, Leg Cramps, and More

Best Budget Barbells of 2023 for CrossFit, Powerlifting, and More

Best Cable Machines for Home Gyms of 2023 (Wall-Mounted, Compact, Budget-Friendly)

woman lifting barbell

Be the smartest person in your gym

The Breaking Muscle newsletter is everything you need to know about strength in a 3 minute read.

I WANT IN!

Breaking Muscle is the fitness world’s preeminent destination for timely, high-quality information on exercise, fitness, health, and nutrition. Our audience encompasses the entire spectrum of the fitness community: consumers, aficionados, fitness professionals, and business owners. We seek to inform, educate and advocate for this community.

  • Reviews
  • Healthy Eating
  • Workouts
  • Fitness
  • News

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed

© 2023 · Breaking Muscle · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy · Affiliate Disclaimer · Accessibility · About