Belly Fat in Women: What Causes It?

Updated on April 29, 2019
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Sagging skin, wrinkles, sunspots, and other visible signs of aging are not the only ones that concern many women. Changes in body shape are a cause of worry too, especially in the case of an expanding midsection or waistline. This tends to be common as people get older, with repercussions like making it hard fit into your old jeans and increased risk of certain health conditions.

Sure, the appearance of belly fat is often enough to make you do whatever you can to get rid of it. You may have tried some diet and exercise in the hope to trim the fat, but it can sometimes be disappointing to see nothing but minimal results.

In such cases, it is best to find out what causes belly fat then proceed in exploring other options like non-invasive procedures to contour your body. CoolSculpting clinics in Salt Lake City share a few things you need to know about belly fat in women.

Why do you have belly fat?

  • Consuming more calories and aging – Eating a lot and working out too little can result in unwanted weight gain, which is mostly accompanied by an expanding waistline. Aging can also contribute to the appearance of a bigger midsection, as fat tends to increase with age. Diminished muscle mass and function can also happen in old age, which can then make it more difficult for your body to maintain an ideal weight.
  • Menopause and declining estrogen levels – Major life transitions like menopause play a role, as the decreasing estrogen levels at this point can cause the fat to shift or accumulate in the abdomen. This is one of the common reasons most women gain unwanted weight during the menopausal period. The sad part is belly fat can still be present even if there is no weight gain.
  • Genes – There is also a genetic component at play in your tendency to gain or carry weight around the abdomen. An article from Harvard Health Publishing suggests that the genetic influence varies from every individual, as it can be as low as 25% or as high as 70 to 80%. Genes, furthermore, can affect your metabolism, appetite, satiety, as well as body-fat distribution.
  • Body fat receptors – It is also important to note that stubborn fats (like those in your abdomen) have a higher density of alpha-2 receptors than beta-2 receptors. Alpha-2 receptors help store energy for future use, but then slow down the fat burning process.  This is why stubborn fats tend to be resistant to diet and exercise.

What can help trim the fat?

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A healthy diet can help, along with regular exercise, especially for routines that can help tone up your abdominal muscle. Just keep in mind, however, that solely relying on these routines is not enough to trim your fat. It is also a good idea to consider non-invasive (no cuts, incisions, or needles) fat reduction procedures like CoolSculpting.

CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved device that uses Cryolipolysis or fat freezing to kill fat cells. This can reduce the volume of fat cells, with the cold temperature triggering the process of natural cell death or “apoptosis.” This then reduces the thickness of the fat layer. CoolSculpting also features a number of applicators in different sizes to treat fat in different areas of the body.

If you’re worried about your belly fat, adopt some positive lifestyle changes and consider non-invasive fat reduction procedures. Contact a reliable cosmetic clinic today to learn more about this treatment.


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