By Knowing Where You Carry Your Excess Fat, You Can Reduce It!
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Obesity is a growing problem in the world. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), more than 70% of people are considered overweight or obese in the United States of America alone (1). Contrary to popular beliefs, simply having a body mass index over 30 is not the only way to identify whether or not you are considered obese (2).
Obesity can manifest in the human body in many different ways. You may be obese but not even know it since your body may tend to deposit fat in a region that is not generally visible. Regardless of the type of obesity that you may have, it is important to identify and take measures in order to reduce it.
Below is a picture that summarizes the different regions where the human body tends to deposit fat. If you are able to figure out exactly where your body is depositing fat, you can concentrate on making the necessary changes in your lifestyle in order to stay healthy and fit.
1. Overeating Belly
If your body tends to deposit fat from neck down all the way to your waist, then you probably have a problem with overeating. There is a high possibility that your body deposits fat in this way, as you do not eat a healthy and balanced diet. Furthermore, people who lead a lifestyle with little or absolutely no physical activity tend to have a similar body shape to the one depicted.
Solution: It is high time you said goodbye to fried foods, sugary treats and other junk food. You should try and exercise for a minimum of 15-20 minutes on a daily basis in order to get rid of an overeating belly.
2. Stressful Belly
If your body tends to deposit fat below your diaphragm all the way down to your waist, then you probably have a stressful belly. This is due to the fact that you tend to consume high caloric foods in order to deal with stress and anxiety. Although not as bad as a sedentary lifestyle, comfort eating can still lead to obesity.
Solution: You should look for other ways to deal with your stress and anxiety rather than turning towards food. For instance, yoga or brain exercises can help divert your mind and reduce your stress levels.
3. Lower Body Obesity
If your body tends to deposit fat on your thighs, then you are most probably suffering from lower body obesity. This usually happens when women reach menopause but it is also likely to occur in younger people due to hormonal problems.
Solution: In order to deal with this type of obesity, you should try and live a very active lifestyle. Focus on performing cardio exercises that can help you burn excess fat. You can improve the results by incorporating weights into your workout regime.
4. Swollen Belly Obesity
If your body tends to deposit fat solely on your belly and no other place, you are most likely suffering from swollen belly obesity! This is usually caused by excess alcohol consumption and is generally referred to as a ‘beer belly’.
Solution: In order to get rid of this form of obesity, you should try and give up on alcohol. Having a swollen belly may also lead to breathing problems that can cause complications later on in life. Therefore, it is crucial that you make some important changes in your lifestyle. Performing breathing exercises and going for regular walks are a great way to improve the strength of your lungs.
5. Lower Limb Obesity
If your body tends to deposit fat from waist down all the way to your ankles, then you are most likely suffering from lower limb obesity. This form of obesity is often noticed in pregnant women who complain about swelling in their legs.
Solution: In order to get rid of this form of obesity, you can perform exercises that help relieve pressure in your joints such as water aerobics. This will help you get rid of any sort of swelling in the legs.
6. Big Belly With Upper Back Fat
If your body tends to deposit fat from the chest down all the way to your waist, then you are likely suffering from a big belly with upper back fat. This type of obesity is generally noticed in people who rarely exercise.
Solution: In order to get rid of this type of obesity, you should keep an eye on your blood sugar levels and workout for at least 15-20 minutes on a daily basis.
Once you have identified the type of obesity that you suffer from, you should focus on making the necessary changes in your lifestyle. Not all forms of obesity are caused due to bad eating habits. You may be wasting your time in the gym performing exercises that are not effective in dealing with your type of obesity. Hence, concentrate on exercises that focus on getting rid of excess fat in the region where your body tends to deposit fats.
Stay fit!
