Big Waistline, What Stress Got To Do With it?

By Neli Stoyanova MD

Gas prices are skyrocketing, unemployment rates are rising, foreclosure is looming, retirement is approaching, your daughter is getting married next month-stress is everywhere, every minute of the day. So how do you respond to it?

Too many trips to the refrigerator while working late at night on that project whose deadline is fast approaching? Need to feel better after that call from your ex? There must be some ice cream left over, right?

Your choices are:

A. Accept the fact that stress makes you fat and sit comfortably on the couch with a large bag of potato chips (don’t forget the soda) and feel sorry about how life is unfair to you.

B. Do something about it. The question is what to do and how?

I personally believe that people do not make bad choices on purpose. They make bad choices because of lack of knowledge. Here is what researchers know now- stress that is not resolved or managed after some time causes fat deposition around the waist (it is actually fat deposition in your belly).

Yes! You can read this again. Stress releases hormones that direct fat to deposit around the waist (hence big waistline fondly called big belly and big tummy). Pay close attention to this: the fat around the waist does not behave the same way as the fat all over the rest of the body. The fat around the waist is linked directly to cardiovascular (heart) risk, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

The difference between the overall fat and the abdominal fat explains why many people who are not obese (not even overweight) have heart attacks and metabolic syndrome. They may not be overweight but guess what? they certainly have a big waistline! What am I talking about?

I am talking about the most accurate (and the most inexpensive) predictor of heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. It is called: waistline measurement.

Get yourself a tape measure now!

If your waistline is below < 38 inches (men) and below < 32 inches (women), you are safe.

If your waistline is above > 40 inches (men) and above > 35 inches (women) it is critical for you to do something.

What are your options?

Don’t even think about crash weight loss diet. Don’t rush to the gym at 5 am.

Remember we said that the big waistline was the direct result of unresolved stress? It means that the solution needs to be found at the source of the trouble.

The ONLY way to be successful in your weight loss is to identify the source of stress in your life and learn how to manage it. Letting go of stress can mean letting go of the extra weight. In addition you need good sleep habits, and plenty of physical activity. Don’t push your self- exercise needs to be moderate but regular. Be real, don't expect overnight changes. Be persistent.

But most importantly, apply the solutions simultaneously. This is the key to successfully and permanently getting rid of the big belly.

About the author: Neli Stoyanova MD, is a medical researcher in the field of obesity and heart disease. She acts in an advisory capacity to numerous journals and health related web sites. To find out how your waistline reveals your life style, and why men and women should not eat the same food, check her website http://www.stress-fat-heart-solutions-for-boomers.com/

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