Most of us gain weight as the years go by. But why does fat accumulate there? This comes from many factors: loss of muscle strength, lack of physical activity, unbalanced diet, age-related hormonal changes, metabolism and sleep.
Belly increases as we age: Many factors are involved
“Abdominal wall muscle contraction causes the stomach to growexplains Dr Oliver Dupuy, Head of Department of Endocrinology and DiabetologyParis Saint-Joseph HospitalMu Women’s Journal. The older we get, the more muscle mass and strength we lose. This is what we call Sarcopenia.”
In adulthood, the pace of life – managing work and children – often limits opportunities for physical activity. However, theWorld Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults aged 18 to 64 do at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity sport or 75 to 150 minutes of sustained-intensity sport per week.
“Lack of physical activity, along with increased caloric intake, promotes visceral fat gain“, suggests Dr. Olivier Dupuy. Additionally, if you consume a lot of sugary foods, saturated fats, and/or ultra-processed foods, you are at an increased risk of gaining belly fat.
Another factor that can explain belly fat: hormonal changes. This is especially true in women, who may experience imbalances at certain times in their lives, especially during menopause. In men, decreased testosterone promotes belly fat.
Sleep well to prevent belly weight gain as you age
Metabolism also plays an important role. With age, the body burns fewer calories… this especially comes from muscle because young people have more muscle. And the more muscular the body, the more calories it expends at rest.
Finally, the last explanatory factor: sleep. According to a study published in the journal Journal of the American College of CardiologyPeople who don’t get enough sleep eat more and store this bad fat in the abdominal area… even in young, healthy and thin people!
So, to stay slim, it is important to practice regular physical activity, eat a balanced diet and sleep well!
