The dangers of central obesity...

Food for thought...

What: where we accumulate additional weight can be equally as detrimental as the amount we accumulate.

Why it's a hazard to health: although piling on the pounds increases our predisposition to premature death and disease, an accumulation of additional adipose tissue in the abdominal area (also referred to as central obesity), can raise this risk further by increasing the incidence of developing detrimental diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease - this means that someone with a slimmer silhouette can still be susceptible to developing disease if they have a super sized stomach as a result of additional visceral fat (the type that accumulates around internal organs).

How to reduce the risk of disease: as we can't 'spot reduce' fat from a specific area/s, eliminating excess weight from our waist can prove to be a painfully slow and prolonged process - particularly if we're preoccupied with creating a chiselled core. Instead of dedicating every ounce of energy to trying to tone a troublesome tummy (no amount of sit ups will shape a six pac if we still have an accumulation of additional abdominal fat!), focus on fighting the flab as a whole by forming healthier eating and exercise habits - this includes combining cardio and strength training with a calorie controlled (and nutrient dense) diet.

Final thought: although additional weight can hinder health regardless of where it accumulates, men with a waist circumference of 94cm (37inch) or more, and women with a waist circumference of 80cm (roughly 31.5inch) or more, are most at risk of developing obesity related complications.

*Waist measurements are based on the current NHS and National Obesity Forum guidelines and differ depending on ethnicity.

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