4 doctor-approved ways women can fight belly fat (2024)

Belly fat in women: Taking — and keeping — it off

What does your waistline say about your health? Find out why belly fat is more common after menopause, the danger it poses and what to do about it.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

An expanding waistline is sometimes considered a price of getting older. For women, this can be especially true as body fat tends to shift to the abdomen after menopause.

That extra belly fat does more than just make it hard to zip up a favorite pair of jeans, though. Research shows that belly fat carries serious health risks. But the threats posed by belly fat can be lowered.

What's behind belly fat

How much a person weighs depends in large part on four things:

  • Calories taken in each day.
  • Calories burned off each day.
  • Age.
  • Genetics.

People who regularly eat and drink more calories than they burn each day are more likely to gain extra weight, including belly fat.

Getting older also makes a difference. People lose muscle as they age. And the problem is worse for those who are not physically active. Loss of muscle mass decreases how quickly the body uses calories. That can make it more challenging to maintain a healthy weight.

Many women notice an increase in belly fat as they get older even if they don't gain weight. This is likely due to a lower level of estrogen because estrogen seems to have an effect on where fat is located in the body.

Genes can contribute to an individual's chances of being overweight or obese too. It also plays a role in where the body stores fat.

Belly fat is more than skin deep

Belly fat

Belly fat

4 doctor-approved ways women can fight belly fat (1)

Belly fat

Subcutaneous fat is belly fat you can feel if you pinch extra skin and tissue around your middle. Visceral fat is fat that builds up deep within the abdomen in the space around the organs. Too much visceral fat is strongly linked with a higher risk of serious health problems.

The trouble with belly fat is that it's not limited to the layer of padding just below the skin. That's called subcutaneous fat. Belly fat also includes visceral fat. And that lies deep inside the abdomen and surrounds the internal organs.

Regardless of a person's overall weight, having a large amount of belly fat raises the risk of:

  • High blood pressure.
  • An unhealthy amount of fat in the blood.
  • Sleep apnea.
  • Heart disease.
  • High blood sugar and diabetes.
  • Certain cancers.
  • Stroke.
  • Fatty liver.
  • Early death from any cause.

Measuring your middle

To see if your belly fat is a concern, measure your waist:

  • Stand and place a tape measure around your bare stomach, just above your hipbone.
  • Pull the tape measure until it fits snugly, but it doesn't push into the skin. Make sure the tape measure is level all the way around.
  • Relax, exhale and measure your waist. Don't suck in your stomach as you measure.

For women, a waist measurement of more than 35 inches (89 centimeters) signals an unhealthy amount of belly fat and a greater risk of health problems. In general, though, the greater the waist measurement, the higher the health risks.

Trimming the fat

You can strengthen and tone abdominal muscles with crunches or other exercises focused on your belly. But doing those exercises alone won't get rid of belly fat. The good news is that visceral fat responds to the same diet and exercise strategies that can help get rid of other extra pounds and lower total body fat. Try these tips:

  • Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet involves:
    • Focusing on plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
    • Choosing lean sources of protein, such as fish and low-fat dairy products.
    • Limiting processed meats, as well as the saturated fat that's found in meat and high-fat dairy products, such as cheese and butter.
    • Choosing moderate amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. They are found in fish, nuts and certain vegetable oils.
  • Choose portion sizes wisely. Even when you're making healthy choices, calories add up. At home, cut down your portion sizes. In restaurants, share meals. Or eat half a meal and take the rest home.
  • Replace sugary drinks. Drink water or other beverages without sugar instead.
  • Get active. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends moderate aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, for at least 150 minutes a week or vigorous aerobic activity, such as jogging, for at least 75 minutes a week. Strength training exercises are recommended at least twice a week. If you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you might need to exercise more. There is some evidence that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can help reduce belly fat, as can strength training.

Losing belly fat takes effort and patience. To lose extra fat and keep it from coming back, aim for slow and steady weight loss. Ask your health care provider for help getting started and staying on track.

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June 28, 2023

  1. Perreault L. Obesity in adults: Prevalence, screening, and evaluation. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 15, 2023.
  2. Perreault L, et al. Overweight and obesity in adults: Health consequences. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 15, 2023.
  3. Understanding adult overweight and obesity. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/adult-overweight-obesity/all-content. Accessed Feb. 15, 2023.
  4. 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/. Accessed Feb. 15, 2023.
  5. Insulin resistance and prediabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/prediabetes-insulin-resistance. Accessed Feb. 15, 2023.
  6. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. 2nd ed. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://health.gov/our-work/physical-activity/current-guidelines. Accessed Feb. 15, 2023.
  7. Hoffman BL, et al. Menopause and the mature woman. In: Williams Gynecology. 4th ed. McGraw Hill; 2020. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Feb. 20, 2023.
  8. Maillard F. Effect of high-intensity interval training on total, abdominal and visceral fat mass: A meta-analysis. Sports Medicine. 2018; doi:10.1007/s40279-017-0807-y.
  9. Wewege MA. The effect of resistance training in healthy adults on body fat percentage, fat mass and visceral fat: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine. 2022; doi:10.1007/s40279-021-01562-2.

See more In-depth

See also

  1. Breastfeeding nutrition: Tips for moms
  2. Ovulation
  3. Headaches and hormones
  4. Menstrual cycle
  5. Weight gain during menopause
  6. Premenstrual water retention

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4 doctor-approved ways women can fight belly fat (2024)

FAQs

4 doctor-approved ways women can fight belly fat? ›

Reducing belly fat

You need to limit your calories and eat a healthy meal plan that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, lean meats, poultry, and fish. It's also important to get regular exercise.

What do cardiologists recommend to get rid of belly fat? ›

Reducing belly fat

You need to limit your calories and eat a healthy meal plan that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, lean meats, poultry, and fish. It's also important to get regular exercise.

What do doctors recommend for belly fat? ›

Strength training becomes all the more important. It can help you keep muscle mass, which promotes weight loss. “Strength and aerobic training, dietary choices, sleep, and stress [management] are all ways to keep weight off the belly,” Alexander says.

What reduces belly fat in women? ›

Strength training exercises are recommended at least twice a week. If you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you might need to exercise more. There is some evidence that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can help reduce belly fat, as can strength training.

What burns the most belly fat? ›

Aerobic exercise includes any activity that raises your heart rate such as walking, dancing, running or swimming. This can also include doing housework, gardening and playing with your children. Other types of exercise such as strength training, Pilates and yoga can also help you lose belly fat.

What is the most effective procedure to get rid of belly fat? ›

Liposuction is particularly effective at removing fat in the legs, abdomen, back, arms, face, and neck. It provides more dramatic results than other noninvasive fat reduction procedures, however, it has a longer recovery period (up to six weeks) and typically costs more than its nonsurgical counterparts.

What is the Dr. Oz weight loss method? ›

"Dr. Oz's diet emphasizes nutrient-dense plant-based foods. However, the diet is quite restrictive, limiting meat, dairy, and grains, as well as eliminating any sugar or processed foods. While OK for a short-term 'jump-start,' it is unnecessarily strict for lifelong eating."

What is the number one exercise for belly fat? ›

Your first step in burning off visceral fat is including at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise or cardio into your daily routine. Studies show that aerobic exercises for belly fat help to reduce belly fat and liver fat. Some great cardio of aerobic exercises for belly fat include: Walking, especially at a quick pace.

What is the new treatment for belly fat? ›

Cryolipolysis is a noninvasive technology that uses extreme cold to dismantle fat cells and help reduce a fat pocket. A paneled or cupped device is placed on top of the skin in the treatment area, where it transmits temperatures that are just low enough to freeze fat cells, essentially destroying them.

What to drink to lose belly fat? ›

Still, to help reduce excess belly fat, moderate your intake and enjoy other beverages with lower sugar content, such as water, unsweetened iced tea, or sparkling water with a wedge of lemon or lime. Fruit juice often contains as much sugar as soda and may contribute to weight gain if consumed in high amounts.

How to lose 7 pounds of belly fat in a week? ›

You'll need to eat roughly 1,000 calories less than you normally do to drop a pound every day. Drop carbs from your diet and focus on eating fresh veggies and lean proteins. Aim for 1 hour of aerobic exercise every day to help you burn enough calories.

Is there a trick to losing belly fat? ›

The key is to lower your overall body fat with moderate-intensity physical activity and a healthy diet; when you reduce your total body fat, you'll also be reducing your belly fat. So if you want to do abdominal exercises, make them part of your fitness routine.

Which medicine is best for reducing belly fat? ›

Phentermine: Phentermine works by suppressing appetite or making you feel full for longer. It is available in combination with Qsymia (topiramate) for weight loss. Orlistat: Orlistat works by decreasing the absorption of fat in the gut and helps remove 30% of the fat that you eat.

What is a heart healthy diet to lose belly fat? ›

The plan should include plenty of lean protein, vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Limit high-fat foods such as red meat, cheese and baked goods. Also limit foods that are high in sodium such as sandwiches, pizza, soup and processed foods. Cut back on foods and drinks with added sugar too.

Do cardiologists prescribe weight loss medication? ›

The FDA's approval of Wegovy could help millions of Americans with both obesity and cardiovascular disease lower their risk of having a major cardiac event.

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