The trouble with belly fat is that it is not limited to the extra layer of padding located just below the skin (subcutaneous fat). It also includes visceral fat which lies deep inside your abdomen, surrounding your internal organs.
If you eat too much and exercise too little, you are likely to pack on excess pounds including belly fat.
Getting older plays a role too. As you age, you lose muscle especially if you are not physically active. Loss of muscle mass decreases how quickly your body uses calories, which can make it more challenging to maintain a healthy weight. According to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, men in their 50s need about 200 fewer calories daily than they do in their 30s due to this muscle loss.
Your genes also can contribute to your chances of being overweight or obese, as well as play a role in where you store fat. However, balancing the calories you consume with activity can help prevent weight gain, despite your age and genetics.
Drinking excess alcohol can give you a beer belly, but beer alone is not to blame. Drinking too much alcohol of any kind can increase belly fat, because alcohol contains calories. If you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation.
For men age 65 and younger, moderation means up to two drinks a day. For men older than age 65, it means up to one drink a day. The less you drink, the fewer calories you will consume and the less likely you will be to gain belly fat.
