Learn what causes belly fat and how to get rid of it naturally using strength training, nutrition, and accurate visceral fat tracking with a Dexa Scan.
Belly fat is one of the most common and frustrating health concerns. For many people, it feels like the last place fat leaves and the first place it accumulates. But not all belly fat is the same, and understanding what causes it is the first step toward reducing it effectively.
This article explains what causes belly fat and how to get rid of it, and why measuring it accurately with a Dexa Scan is critical for real progress.
Belly fat includes two main types:
Subcutaneous fat
Visceral fat
You cannot tell how much visceral fat you have by looking in the mirror. That requires accurate measurement.
Belly fat accumulation is influenced by multiple factors.
Consistently consuming more calories than you burn leads to fat storage. Refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks, and processed foods tend to promote abdominal fat accumulation.
Hormones influence where fat is stored.
Elevated cortisol from chronic stress can increase abdominal fat storage. Insulin resistance also promotes visceral fat accumulation.
Without strength training, lean muscle mass declines over time. Lower muscle mass reduces metabolic rate, making fat accumulation easier, particularly around the abdomen.
Sleep deprivation alters hunger hormones and increases cravings, often leading to increased calorie intake and abdominal fat gain.
As activity levels decline and metabolism slows with age, belly fat becomes easier to accumulate unless muscle mass is actively maintained.
Excess belly fat, especially visceral fat, is associated with:
For athletes and active individuals, excess abdominal fat can also reduce movement efficiency and endurance.
Reducing belly fat requires a structured and sustainable approach.
Resistance training preserves and builds lean muscle mass, which increases resting metabolic rate and improves insulin sensitivity.
Maintaining muscle is critical for long-term fat loss.
A small, consistent calorie deficit helps reduce fat mass without sacrificing muscle.
Aggressive dieting can lead to muscle loss, which slows metabolism and makes fat regain more likely.
Interval training can improve metabolic health and support abdominal fat reduction when combined with strength training.
Lowering chronic stress and improving sleep quality can reduce cortisol-driven fat storage and improve appetite regulation.
Waist measurements and scale weight do not distinguish between subcutaneous and visceral fat.
A Dexa Scan provides:
This allows you to see whether belly fat reduction is actually occurring, rather than guessing.
For meaningful tracking:
The scan itself takes about six minutes, and full body composition Dexa scans are not covered by insurance, making them a proactive health investment.
Getting rid of belly fat is not about spot reduction or extreme dieting. It requires:
When changes are measured accurately, adjustments can be made before plateaus occur.
If you want to understand what is really causing belly fat and track your progress with precision, accurate body composition data is essential. Kalos provides advanced Dexa Scan services to help you measure visceral fat, preserve muscle, and optimize long-term health.
Schedule your scan today, your journey to data-driven fitness starts now.
Bay Area residents trust Kalos to deliver results. We proudly serve the entire Bay Area including the following locations:
