Ask Fitz: Belly Fat vs. Booty Fat – Which is Worse?

Photo Credit: Duncan on Flickr.com

If you have a health and fitness question for Fitz, please submit your questions in the comment section below.

Q. Hi Fitz. I’m a tall, mostly trim guy, but I have a bit of a gut. My sister’s always nagging me about it, but since I’m trim, I tend to ignore her. She says it’s worse to have fat on the gut than fat in the butt, but I say fat is fat. What’s your spin? Adam

A. Such a great question Adam! Hopefully I can deliver an equally great answer. Here goes… Big bums can be sexy. Big bellies can be lethal. My little scenario didn’t rhyme as well as yours, but you get the gist, right? Your sister is correct, pal, and you’d serve yourself well to force that waistline of yours to jump in line with the rest of your trim body. Those with a nutrition degree know that online information can sometimes be misleading, so here is the truth …

Fat on your fanny makes you buy bigger jeans. Fat on your belly can have far more serious consequences. The fat bulging over your belt — it’s called visceral fat — is also a very good predictor of how much fat is around your organs. Ever go shopping for beef, Adam? Remember those white lines running throughout that steak? Those white lines are visceral fat. A lot of white on your meat means you’re getting a super fatty and tasty cut. I know it’s a disgusting thought, but your organs respond to fat in the same way. (And no, I’m not suggesting that your organs may just be “tasty”.)

Folks with increasingly large waistlines are more likely to have lots of visceral fat, and this puts them at an increased risk for a heart attack, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and other forms of illness and disease. Men with waistlines greater than 40 inches and women with waistlines greater than 35 inches are really putting themselves at risk.

It’s fun to help people look great in their swimsuits; I’m happy to help with all of that. But my most important job here is to help you live better and longer. Even if your belly has yet to reach that 40-inch mark, it’d be a wise idea for you to adopt healthier habits immediately and nip this thing in the bud. Belly fat is nothing to mess around with.

I suggest you plan your meals and snacks around produce, lean protein, lean dairy, beans, whole grains and calorie-free beverages, such as water. Steer clear of sugar, white flour, alcohol, hydrogenated oils, butter and excessively salty foods. You don’t have to be perfect, but you should make about 80 to 90 percent of what you put in your mouth legitimately healthy — try my book, “The Everything Flat Belly Cookbook” for 300 quick and easy recipes to help drop that belly fat. You’ll also want to exercise vigorously on a regular basis — cardiovascular and strength training exercises will help you slim down at a pretty good pace.

Now that we’ve solved the booty fat vs. belly fat debate, go give your sister a hug, thank her for caring about you, and get to work!

Fitz