What Causes Belly Fat In Females?

What causes belly fat in females? 8 reasons why your abdomen tends to accumulate fat. Did you know that lack of sleep can influence weight? Not getting enough sleep reduces levels of the hormone that signals satiety and controls hunger.

Have you ever wondered why the abdomen is one of the areas of the body that most easily tends to accumulate fat? What answers do you think you can give to this question? If you have your doubts, do not worry, below we will tell you 8 reasons why the abdomen accumulates fat.

By nature, the abdomen is one of the areas of the body that tends to expand the most. Therefore, bad life habits can easily increase it. This not only translates into an aesthetic problem but also a health problem.

What Causes Belly Fat In Females?

1. Genetics

Researchers from the Sanford Burnham Institute (United States), determined that body fat varies genetically in different parts of the body.

Also, according to some research, people who by genetics tend to eat more, also tend to accumulate more abdominal fat. In addition, if several members of the family accumulate abdominal fat, you may also have this tendency.

2. Lack of sleep

People who don’t get enough sleep tend to eat more, and therefore store belly fat. Lack of sleep reduces the level of the hormone leptin and increases the hormone ghrelin, which is the hormone that makes our appetite increase.

According to studies, people who sleep only 6 hours a day have up to a 27% higher risk of obesity than those who sleep around 9 to 7 hours.

3. Stress

Like poor quality sleep, stress also produces hormonal changes that can lead to weight gain.

According to nutritionists, the adrenal glands, also named adrenal glands, are stimulated to release hormones like cortisol and adrenaline and during stressful situations. When cortisol levels increase, they favor the formation of fat in the body, especially that which accumulates in the abdomen.

4. Sedentary lifestyle

Exercise is one of the best ways to maintain an active metabolism and burn calories, therefore, exercising regularly is a key measure to achieve the ideal weight and maintain it over time. Therefore, experts and even the World Health Organization recommend exercising for at least 30 minutes a day.

In addition, physical exercise helps to strengthen cardiovascular health, thus preventing certain diseases of this system. Some scientific studies indicate that there is a direct relationship between the loss of abdominal fat and high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

5. Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages

The excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages influences weight gain since these are nothing more than empty calories.

In a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was revealed that excessive alcohol consumption is a highly predisposing factor (50%) to generate abdominal fat.

6. Bad diet

A diet rich in carbohydrates and fat is another main cause of the accumulation of abdominal fat. The market is full of unhealthy products and, as consumers, we must identify them.

Among the foods that can cause obesity are:

• Sweets.
• Pastries.
• Fried foods.
• Refreshments.
• Canned.
• Sausages.
• Refined flours.
• Ultra-processed foods.

Therefore, plan a good diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and water.

7. Certain medications

Some medications can cause weight gain when used for a long time. These medications include those prescribed to treat diabetes, migraine, mood disorders, and hypertension.

On the other hand, the following medications can also cause weight gain:

• Steroid.
• Anticonvulsants.
• Contraceptive pills.
• Hormone replacement therapy.

Important note: it should be noted that they do not always cause weight gain, since their effects vary depending on the person.

8. Snack between meals

Although eating in several servings a day is recommended to control weight and activate metabolism, “snacking” between meals with unhealthy snacks can cause the opposite.

Snacking between meals such as potato chips, cookies, pastries, soft drinks, industrial groceries, and sweets increases caloric intake and with it, abdominal fat.

How to avoid the accumulation of abdominal fat?

Regardless of what is the cause of abdominal fat accumulation, it is very important to combat it to prevent health problems. The keys to this are:

• Avoid the consumption of alcoholic drinks.
• Maintain an adequate diet.
• Get enough sleep every day, at least 7 hours.
• Drink enough water throughout the day, depending on your thirst.
• Abandon sedentarism and adopt an active lifestyle, which includes the practice of cardio exercises.

Fighting abdominal fat is a necessity, not just a matter of aesthetics

The excessive accumulation of abdominal fat is not only an aesthetic problem, but it can reduce bone density. Therefore, it can increase the risk of suffering from osteoporosis, as an article published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism points out.

In addition, it also increases the probability of suffering from asthma. It is for this reason that it is important to know the causes of abdominal fat accumulation and, depending on which ones arise, act accordingly.

If you have doubts about how to improve your lifestyle, it is best to consult your doctor.

What Causes Belly Fat In Females? by Jack Michael