4 reasons why your stomach gets  bigger

You must still be living in ancient times if you think having a potbelly is a sign of wealth or luxury. Nowadays, a big belly is not just seen as unattractive among men and women, it also has lots of health challenges especially if yours surrounds your organs (visceral fat).

It is easy to accumulate belly fat, but getting rid of it can be very frustrating. So if you’re among those people who are wondering why their belly is growing bigger and bigger, this article will enlighten you about the possible causes.

Below are 4 reasons why your stomach gets bigger.

1. Hormones.

Maybe you’ve noticed that your stomach bloating follows a different cycle not so much your digestive cycle, but your menstrual cycle. If so, you’re not alone. As many as 3 in 4 women say they experience abdominal bloating before and during their menstrual periods.

Bloating is also a common complaint during the hormone fluctuations of perimenopause. Female hormones deserve a special mention when it comes to stomach bloating because they can affect bloating from many angles fluids, gas, digestive back-up, and also your sensitivity to those things.

2. Too Much Stress.

When your stress levels are high, your body produces a hormone called cortisol. Studies have shown that this hormone trips your body to take fat from healthier areas, like your butt and hips, and move it to your abdomen. This is called visceral fat and it not only looks bad, but it is also pretty bad for you because it surrounds your vital organs.

3. Sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity.

A sedentary lifestyle is one of the biggest risk factors for negative health events. It involves prolonged sitting throughout the day (e.g., watching TV, sitting at a work desk, long commutes, playing video games, etc.)

Even if a person is physically active, meaning they engage in physical labor or exercise, prolonged sitting may increase the risk of negative health events and weight gain.

4. Too much alcohol.

Consuming excess alcohol can cause a variety of health problems, including liver disease and inflammation.

Advertisement

Research on alcohol consumption and obesity found that drinking excess alcohol causes males to gain weight around their bellies, though study results in females are inconsistent.