44 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • JUNE 2021
FITNESS TIPS FOR DROPPING THE DAD BOD
What contributes to belly fat? The
term “beer belly” might suggest that only
men who drink excessive amounts of
beer are at risk of developing unhealthy
amounts of belly fat. While drinking too
much beer is unhealthy and will result
in more belly fat, beer is not the only
culprit.
The Mayo Clinic notes that aging can
play a role in the development of belly
fat. People, especially those who are not
physically active, naturally lose muscle
after the age of 30. That loss of muscle
mass decreases the rate at which the
body uses calories, which can make
it more difficult to maintain healthy
weights and prevent belly fat from
developing. That’s one reason why the
Office of Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion advises men in their 50s to
consume roughly 200 fewer calories
per day than they did when they were
in their 30s.
A poor diet also can contribute to belly
fat. When choosing protein sources,
men should forgo red meat, which can
be high in saturated fat, in favor of fish
and low-fat dairy products. Harvard
Medical School notes that other healthful
sources of protein include chicken,
turkey, nuts, beans, and whole grains.
But even the healthiest diets won’t do
much to reduce or prevent belly fat if
men also don’t control their portion
sizes. When dining out, men can share
plates or decide in advance to eat half
their meals and take the rest home.
When eating at home, men should not
feel obligated to fill or empty their
plates. Feeling full or uncomfortable
after eating is indicative of overeating.
Avoid that feeling and cut down on belly
fat by eating healthy portions of healthy
foods.
How is belly size determined? Men
concerned about belly fat can measure
their bellies and discuss belly size with
their physicians. The Mayo Clinic offers
the following guidelines to measure
belly size:
1. Stand and place a tape measure
around your bare stomach, just above
your hip bone.
2. Pull the tape measure until it fits
snugly around you, but doesn’t push
into your skin. Make sure the tape
measure is level all the way around.
3. Relax, exhale and measure your
waist. Do not suck in your stomach.
4. A waist measurement greater than
40 inches indicates an unhealthy
amount of belly fat that can increase a
man’s risk for heart disease.
5. Belly fat might mistakenly be viewed
as a cosmetic concern, but the consequences
of excess belly fat affect far
more than a man’s appearance.
-Metro Creative Connection
PRESS HEALTH
continued from page 43
Dads should take care of themselves for their kids' sake. (Getty Images)
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