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A pot belly

Abdominal obesity is a physical trait characterised by a horizontal overhang of body fat above the waist, often with little apparent fat on the rest of the body. There is little scientific evidence that beer drinkers are more prone to abdominal obesity, despite it being known colloquially as beer belly, beer gut, or pot belly. One of the few studies conducted on the subject did not find that beer drinkers are more prone to abdominal obesity than nondrinkers or drinkers of wine or spirits ^[1]. Image File history File links Wiki_letter_w. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1304x1237, 92 KB) This picture shows a so callled Beerbelly. The first upload was on the English Wikipedia (w:en:image:Beerbelly. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1304x1237, 92 KB) This picture shows a so callled Beerbelly. The first upload was on the English Wikipedia (w:en:image:Beerbelly. ... Adipose tissue is an anatomical term for loose connective tissue composed of adipocytes. ... The waist is the part of the abdomen between the ribcage and hips. ... Human anatomy or anthropotomy is a special field within anatomy. ...

Prevalence

Most studies show that the trait of abdominal obesity is genetically influenced, although one study purpoits to show it is associated with drinking. A lack of muscle tone in the abdominal muscles contributes to the appearance of the beer belly, with the overhang often increasing with age. Muscle tone is the continuous and passive partial contraction of the muscles. ... The human abdomen (from the Latin word meaning belly) is the part of the body between the pelvis and the thorax. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Muscular system. ...

Beer and weight gain

The primary energy-bearing constituents of beer are alcohol and carbohydrates; beer has no fat and very little protein content. Light beers and low-alcohol beers carry less food energy than other beers ^[2]. Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol, is a flammable, colorless, slightly toxic chemical compound with a distinctive perfume-like odor, and is the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. ... Carbohydrates (literally hydrates of carbon) are chemical compounds that act as the primary biological means of storing or consuming energy, other forms being fat and protein. ... Food energy is the amount of energy in food that is available through digestion. ...

Beer belly reduction

The most effective way of trimming down a beer belly is believed to be the same as for reducing fat in other areas of the body. This involves reducing caloric intake or increasing caloric expenditure through increased activity, such as aerobic exercise and strength training. Contrary to popular belief, working the abdominal muscles doesn't target the fat next to the muscle. However, working those muscles may reduce the appearance of the beer belly by developing stronger and more toned muscles to pull the beer belly inwards. A calorie is a unit of measurement for energy. ... In physical exercise, aerobic exercise is complementary to anaerobic exercise. ... Strength training is a blanket term for all exercises that develop the strength and size of skeletal muscles. ... Muscle tone is the continuous and passive partial contraction of the muscles. ...

See also

• Obesity
• Central obesity
• Weight loss
• Ascites
• Alcoholism

Central obesity (or apple-shaped or masculine obesity) occurs when the main deposits of body fat are localised around the abdomen and the upper body. ... Weight loss, in the context of medicine or health, is a reduction of the total body weight, which can mean loss of fluid, muscle or bone mass, or fat. ... Alcoholism is the consumption of, or preoccupation with, alcoholic beverages to the extent that this behavior interferes with the drinkers normal personal, family, social, or work life, and may lead to physical or mental harm. ...

References

1. ^ Bobak M, Skodova Z, Marmot M. Beer and obesity: a cross-sectional study. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003;57:1250–3. This study is also mentioned in "Why the beer belly may be a myth", BBC, 12 October, 2003
2. ^ Beer Alcohol and Calories; Alcohol and Calorie Content of About 150 Popular Beers

• Henry, Reg. The beer gut: another half-baked myth. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 26, 2006.

External links

• Why the beer belly may be a myth
• Drink binges 'cause beer belly'
• Beer belly 'gene' found
• Oxford Dictionary Entry
• It's not the energy, it's the estrogenic activity
• How to Lose Belly Fat
• Techniques to Flatten a Beer Belly - Article discusses techniques to exercise your TVA muscles for a flatter belly