Why does belly fat grow after 30? California-based gastroenterologist explains

Belly fat in 30s becomes a problem, because a number of reasons. (Picture Credit: Pexels)

Are you someone in your 30s who's lost wondering why your belly fat is growing in size despite no major changes in your diet and lifestyle? A California-based gastroenterologist shared a couple of reasons behind this in one of his Instagram posts.

Trained at AIIMS, Harvard and Stanford Universities, Dr Saurabh Sethi shared, "The same foods lead to more belly fat and the same workouts give fewer results." He added that even small cheat means have a larger impact than before. If you think that the shift post 30 years of age is random, then Dr Sethi wants you to know that it's not. In fact, he believes that the change is due to physiological changes that the body goes through.

Take a look at his post

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Saurabh Sethi MD MPH | Gastroenterologist (@doctor.sethi)

Did you know we lose about 3 to 8% of muscle every decade?

For the uninitiated, less muscle mass in the body means that one will be able to burn fewer calories while they're resting. “After 30, we naturally lose 3-8% of muscle per decade,” revealed Dr Sethi.

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Now since muscles' function is to ensure 70 to 80% of glucose disposal, when the muscle mass drops, the glucose stays in blood longer and this is what leads to accumulation of fat more around the abdominal region.

Body's sensitivity to insulin...

Dr Sethi also shared that body's sensitivity to insulin declines at 4 to 5% rate per decade. So, even if you're consuming the same quantity of carbohydrates in your diet, it will lead to greater spike in sugar which in turn leads to faster fat storage around the waist.

Cortisol goes up, level of growth hormones goes down

When one is in their 30s, one would witness that a decline in the level of human growth hormones like testosterone and oestrogen. At the same time, stress hormone cortisol goes up. Dr Sethi shared, "This combination favours deep abdominal fat storage."

As a cumulative result of all these changes, visceral fat (deep belly fat) accumulates faster than subcutaneous fat. “This fat surrounds organs and worsens insulin resistance and inflammation, “ stated Dr Sethi.

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For people who already have fatty liver, prediabetes, diabetes, high triglycerides, their condition worsens, because insulin resistance leads to more accumulation of fat in abdomen and liver.

FAQs on fat accumulation around abdomen region:

Q1. What is abdominal fat?

Abdominal fat refers to excess fat stored around the stomach area. It includes both subcutaneous fat (under the skin) and visceral fat (around internal organs).

Q2. Why is fat accumulation around the abdomen a concern?

Excess abdominal fat, especially visceral fat, is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, hormonal imbalance and metabolic disorders.

Q3. What causes fat to build up around the abdomen?

Common causes include unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, chronic stress, poor sleep, hormonal changes and genetic factors.

Q4. Does stress contribute to belly fat?

Yes. Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, which promotes fat storage around the abdominal area.

Q5. Can hormonal changes lead to abdominal fat gain?

Yes. Hormonal imbalances related to menopause, thyroid issues or insulin resistance can contribute to fat accumulation in the belly region.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.