Reducing belly fat is one of the most important things that men can do to improve their overall health and fitness. Although women accumulate belly fat, too, it is more common among men. And research has shown that excessive abdominal fat is associated with an increased risk of health problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and insulin resistance.
Even if you consider yourself fit, you may have too much belly fat if your workout routine doesn't include enough cardio.
Is your belly is too big? Use the trusty tape measure. If your waist circumference is greater than 40 inches (102 centimeters) you may be at increased risk for heart disease and other health problems. To measure accurately, wrap the tape measure around your bare abdomen, just above your hip bone, and make sure that it is level all the way around, not looped or folded over. Your wrap should be snug, but not tight. Caveat: Be sure to measure as you breathe out--this is not the time to suck in your stomach!
One factor that impact how men develop belly fat is age. Even naturally thin men are prone to putting on belly fat with age. Although genes do play a role, lifestyle plays a bigger one. If you become less active with age, you are more likely to accumulate belly fat. What to do? Stay active and remember that although sit-ups and other abdominal exercises may make your stomach look flatter, it's just the muscles holding in the belly fat. There's no such thing as "spot reducing," so you need to include cardio in your fitness plan.