'Beer belly' is the cause of many common diseases, doctors show how to 'treat' it

A 'beer belly' is common among men, especially in middle age. While it's natural to gain weight as we age, it can be a source of concern for a number of health problems.

The term “beer belly” is used to describe the body of middle-aged men, with the midsection and abdomen being more developed and rounder than other body areas, according to Cleveland Clinic (USA).

Many people believe that a beer belly is a “sign” of someone who always spends time with family and children instead of caring or taking care of their own appearance. Therefore, having a beer belly is something to be proud of. However, in fact, a beer belly is a sign of fat accumulation around the abdomen, accompanied by many other potential health risks that need to be taken seriously.

Beer belly and excess fat accumulation are the source of 3 common diseases: High cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar

The origin of the "trio" of formidable diseases

Having a lot of belly fat (visceral fat) is a hallmark of a beer belly, and is also a sign of a higher risk of certain health problems.

“When you hit your 30s, your metabolism naturally slows down,” says GP David Brill. “Even if you eat the same diet, your metabolism may not be as good as it once was.”

Dr. Brill adds that when fat is stored around the midsection, it can also accumulate in other areas like the arms and legs. “Too many fat cells can wreak havoc on your health. Left unchecked, a beer belly can lead to the triple threat of middle age: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar.”

Having high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar can lead to conditions such as:

• Heart attack.
• Stroke.
• Diabetes.
• Liver disease.
• Kidney disease.

You can play games and sports with your family.

How to avoid beer belly when you don't have much time?

Dr. Brill suggests that a healthy goal for men with beer bellies is to keep their body fat below 25% (this number can range from 25% to 31% in women).

“It’s easy for people to gain weight in today’s society, especially when they have jobs that require them to sit still. We seem to have easy access to unhealthy foods, and after work we just want to spend more time with our families and children, with little regular exercise. Staying in shape takes effort, but I always emphasize that people don’t have to do it too hard.”

Dr. Brill recommends that people prioritize eating natural foods, which should make up at least 80% of their daily nutritional intake, and engaging in physical activity six days a week. You don’t have to go to the gym every day, but do something that gets your body moving. If you have children, you can try exercising with them, such as:

• Hiking.
• Cycling.
• Play active games and sports like tag, basketball, soccer…
• Do yoga together.

In the above ways, you can spend time together and improve your physical fitness.

Thus, although beer belly is common in middle-aged men, people should not ignore it but should pay more attention to nutrition and combine it with reasonable exercise to prevent dangerous diseases that may arise.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bung-bia-la-nguyen-nhan-cua-nhieu-benh-pho-bien-bac-si-chi-cach-tri-185241123155904523.htm