Why Am I Gaining Belly Fat All Of A Sudden?

Visceral (belly) fat secretes greater levels of adipokines—chemicals that trigger inflammation—and releases more fatty acids into the bloodstream. Whereas the fat cells in the leg region, and the pinchable, subcutaneous layers of fat around the middle, store fatty acids within themselves, rather than pushing them into the circulation.

Making it a priority and trying to lose some of your belly fat is important, not only for personal appearance and vanity, but also for your health with research showing the significance of belly fat and its role in the risk of acute myocardial infarctions, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol as well as other inflammatory conditions.

Why Is Belly Fat So Bad?

• Subcutaneous Fat. This is the fat we can see, and that sits just under the skin in the thighs, hips, buttocks, and abdomen.
• Visceral Fat. This is the fat that exists deeper inside the body, around the vital organs (heart, lungs, digestive tract, liver, etc.) in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.
• Exercise. Forget spot-reducing.
• Diet.
• Sleep.
• Manage Stress.

Why Does Fat Accumulate Around My Belly?

• Dangers of Belly Fat. Increased belly fat correlates with increased risk of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
• Hormonal Causes of Belly Fat. In men, testosterone drives the development of belly fat.
• Dietary Reasons for Belly Fat.
• Lifestyle Encourages a Fat Belly.

Why do women gain belly fat?

Some women gain more belly fat at this time than others. This may partly be due to genetics, as well as the age at which menopause starts. One study found that women who complete menopause at a younger age tend to gain less abdominal fat ( 37. Trusted Source.

Trusted Source. ). The medical term for unhealthy fat in the belly is “visceral fat,” which refers to fat surrounding the liver and other organs in your abdomen. Even normal-weight people with excess belly fat have an increased risk of health problems ( 2. Trusted Source.

Trans fats are the unhealthiest fats on the planet. They’re created by adding hydrogen to unsaturated fats in order to make them more stable. Trans fats are often used to extend the shelf lives of packaged foods, such as muffins, baking mixes and crackers. Trans fats have been shown to cause inflammation.

The bacteria in your gut are also known as your gut flora or microbiome. Gut health is important for maintaining a healthy immune system and avoiding disease. An imbalance in gut bacteria increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other diseases ( 38. Trusted Source.

Here are 12 things that make you gain belly fat. 1. Sugary Foods and Beverages. Many people take in more sugar every day than they realize. High-sugar foods include cakes and candies, along with so-called “ healthier ” choices like muffins and frozen yogurt.

Low protein intake may drive hunger and belly fat gain. It may also increase the hunger hormone neuropeptide Y. 6. Menopause. Gaining belly fat during menopause is extremely common. At puberty, the hormone estrogen signals the body to begin storing fat on the hips and thighs in preparation for a potential pregnancy.

Some studies have shown that alcohol suppresses fat bur ning and that excess calories from alcohol are partly stored as belly fat — hence the term “beer belly” ( 12. Trusted Source. ). Studies have linked high alcohol intake to weight gain around the middle.

Why do I gain weight but not have a health condition?

When weight gain is not related to a health condition, common causes include: eating more . menstrual cycle. perimenopause and menopause. metabolism slowing down with age. being less physically active. water retention due to dehydration or excess salt. stress, depression, or anxiety. lack of sleep.

5. Heart failure. Rapid weight gain or swelling in particular areas of the body can be due to fluid retention and may be a sign of heart failure. According to the American Heart Association, a weight gain of more than 2–3 pounds (lb) over 24 hours or 5 lb in a week could be a sign of heart failure.

Sudden weight gain or swelling in the body could be a symptom of kidney disease, such as kidney failure or nephrotic syndrome, which is damage to the kidneys. If the kidneys are not functioning correctly, the body may retain fluid, resulting in weight gain.

Thyroid problems can also cause the body to retain fluid because of the effects of hypothyroidism on the kidneys.

difficulty concentrating or confusion. 7. Cirrhosis. If people experience rapid weight gain and their abdomen looks enlarged, this may indicate cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a condition in which scar tissue replaces healthy tissue in the liver, and it can cause fluid to build up in the abdominal cavity.

Experts believe that this occurs both because nicotine suppresses appetite and because withdrawal symptoms may include stress, which can lead to overeating.

If blood is flowing slowly to and from the heart, it affects the function of other major organs in the body. As a result, fluid collects in the tissues, which causes weight gain and swelling. People may experience weight gain with swelling in the: stomach area. ankles.

Why do I have a high belly fat?

A person has a higher risk of various health issues if they have excess belly fat. Causes include poor diet, lack of exercise, and short or low-quality sleep. A healthy diet and active lifestyle can help people lose excess belly fat and lower the risk of problems associated with it.

Common causes of excess belly fat include: 1. Poor diet. Sugary food such as cakes and candy, and drinks such as soda and fruit juice, can: cause weight gain. slow a person’s metabolism. reduce a person’s ability to burn fat. Low-protein, high-carb diets may also affect weight.

Improving nutrition, increasing activity, and making other lifestyle changes can all help. Belly fat refers to fat around the abdomen. There are two types of belly fat: Visceral: This fat surrounds a person’s organs. Subcutaneous: This is fat that sits under the skin.

When a person is in a dangerous or high-pressure situation, their body releases cortisol, and this can impact their metabolism. People often reach for food for comfort when they feel stressed. Cortisol causes those excess calories to remain around the belly and other areas of the body for later use. 5. Genetics.

Trans fats are in many foods, including fast food and baked goods like muffins and crackers. The American Heart Association recommends that people replace trans fats with healthy whole-grain foods, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats.

Stress can cause a person to gain weight. The release of the stress hormone cortisol influences a person’s appetite and could cause them to eat more. Stress-relieving tactics include mindfulness and meditation, and gentle exercise like yoga. 6.

How to lose belly fat. The following steps may help people lose unwanted belly fat: 1. Improving their diet. A healthy, balanced diet can help a person lose weight, and is also likely to have a positive effect on their overall health.

What causes weight gain in the abdomen?

PCOS leads to cysts on the ovaries and hormonal imbalances that cause abdominal weight gain and irregular periods. Advertisement.

The thyroid , a gland located in the neck, releases hormones that regulate energy use and metabolism. A sluggish thyroid , or hypothyroidism, leads to a slowed metabolism and often results in weight gain. An underactive thyroid also causes many people to retain salt and water, which can lead to rapid, abdominal weight gain.

Liver failure may be due to a number of conditions including hepatitis and alcohol abuse. As liver function deteriorates, fluid called ascites accumulates in the belly. This build-up of fluid is generally painless, but can quickly lead to severe bloating and may be mistaken for garden-variety weight gain.

Cortisol leads to a release of glucocorticoids or steroids, which promotes weight gain. For this same reason, people taking steroid medications like prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone) are also prone to abdominal weight gain. Advertisement.

Weight gain. We all know that too many calories and not enough exercise can lead to weight gain. Over a third of adults in the U.S. are considered obese—the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says poor eating habits and physical inactivity are mainly to blame. In some cases though, rapid abdominal weight gain can actually be a sign …

An underactive thyroid also causes many people to retain salt and water, which can lead to rapid, abdominal weight gain. Nevertheless, according to the American Thyroid Association, weight gain is rarely the only symptom of hypothyroidism. Other symptoms include profound fatigue, constipation, intolerance of cold temperatures, …