While diet and exercise are undoubtedly important for any weight loss journey, other things must be taken into consideration.
Speaking exclusively to GB News, a dietitian explained the importance of stress management when targeting belly fat.
The body is more likely to hold onto fat when it is in a state of stress, Jennifer Pallian, registered dietitian (BSc Food, Nutrition and Health, RD), explained.
She said: “We all know stress can take a toll on our bodies, but did you know it’s directly linked to belly fat? When we’re stressed, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal HPA axis, the body’s primary stress response system, gets activated, ramping up cortisol production.
Yoga and stretching can reduce stress levels
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“This stress hormone encourages fat storage in the belly, especially by triggering lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme that encourages the accumulation of visceral fat; belly fat stored around your organs.
“The problem with visceral fat is that it’s more metabolically active than fat found in other areas of the body, and it’s linked to inflammation, insulin resistance, and even heart disease.”
Not only does stress impact the body, it can lead to unhealthy cravings as a way to cope, the expert said.
Jennifer continued: “Stress also messes with our eating habits – think cravings for sugary, high-calorie foods.
“This stress-induced eating, combined with the cortisol effect, creates a vicious cycle of belly fat that can be hard to break.
“On top of that, stress messes with our sleep, and lack of sleep can also contribute to visceral fat gain, so it really is a double whammy.”
Removing stress from your life is not always straightforward. Work pressure, busy routines and hectic lifestyles can all contribute to this, and often seem unavoidable.
However, the health pro suggested a number of ways to try to manage this, such as exercise, stretching and breathing techniques.
Stress leads to fat storage around the midriff
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She continued: “Stress management techniques like mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), deep breathing, and even just regular physical activity can help keep cortisol levels in check.
“Finding ways to manage stress isn’t just about feeling better in the moment; it’s about preventing belly fat and improving our long-term health.”
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