Some individuals are quite self-conscious about how their stomach looks when they are overweight. However, according to David Creel, PhD., professional psychologist and certified dietitian, the greater problem is the heightened health risks associated with abdominal obesity. Subcutaneous fat (fat just beneath the skin) and visceral fat (fat around the organs) contribute to a larger waist circumference. Visceral fat is the most dangerous kind of fat, yet fat deposits are what we tend to focus on when we check our appearance in the mirror.

The Causes of Belly Fat

Excess weight, particularly belly fat, is a common result of a sedentary lifestyle and excessive eating. Muscle mass loss and fat gain are both possible as you get older. If you lose muscle, your metabolism slows, and keeping your weight in check becomes more difficult. As women age, many find that their waistlines expand, particularly if they maintain weight. This is probably because estrogen levels are dropping, and estrogen seems to have a role in determining wherever fat is distributed throughout the body. Gaining or carrying extra weight around the middle, giving one an "apple" instead of a "pear," may also have a hereditary component.

What is it about abdominal fat that sets it apart?

Stomach, tummy, and Belly fat, or visceral fat, is a dangerous subtype of subcutaneous fat that accumulates around the internal organs. Some persons might benefit greatly from a reduction in their abdominal fat. Hormones released by visceral fat have been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other health issues (source). Because it plays an active role in producing several hormones, it is frequently referred to as "active fat." Visceral fat is less obvious than subcutaneous fat since it lies deeper in the body. A rise in visceral fat is not always visible, but a noticeable expansion of the waistline often is.

The real reason behind your stubborn tummy fat

The problem with belly fat extends beyond the visceral adipose layer (subcutaneous fat). Visceral fat is also included; this is the fat that surrounds and fills your abdominal cavity and major organs. In addition to the aesthetic issues caused by abdominal fat, research has linked belly fat (independent of body mass index) to increased mortality risk. Some research has also shown that women within the normal weight range, as determined by the index of body mass scale, have an increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease if they have a wide waistline.

Losing weight in the lower Belly

Stop thinking that you can "spot treat" localized regions of fat. Even if you perform a thousand sit-ups or ten thousand pushups, you won't notice any fat reduction in your stomach area. The muscles can be toned, and the lower abdomen can be strengthened by doing exercises like aerobics, yoga, and pushups. Still, the fat deposits can't be "erased" by these exercises. Reduce your body fat percentage from the inside out if you want to see results in your lower tummy. This is facilitated by cutting calories.

Methods for Inducing Calorie Deficiency

Simply put, a calorie deficit is created when daily calorie expenditure exceeds daily calorie intake. You would be in a caloric deficit if this were the case. To lose a pound of body fat, you need to expend 3,500 more calories than you take in each day, as stated by the Mayo Clinic. A weekly pound of fat may be lost by maintaining a negative energy balance of 500 through dietary changes and physical activity. Extreme calorie counting is necessary to lose 2.5 pounds each week, which is not advised for most individuals.

Conclusion

Lower abdominal fat is a common problem. Many men and women try to lose weight to get rid of their lower belly fat. Abdominal fat is notoriously difficult to lose, especially in the lower abdominal region. Different body types indeed have different levels of difficulty losing lower abdominal fat. Some types of fat in the body tend to stay in the lower abdominal area for far longer compared to any other place of the body. Despite your best efforts, you can't seem to get rid of the fat around your lower abdomen.