Get a FLATTER TUMMY...FAST!

Where you store fat matters to your health. Here's why, and what you can do about it as you age

- TANYA PEAREY

Starting to despair at the spare tyre around your middle? As we age we become more prone to storing fat around our bellies, thanks to hormonal changes with a drop in oestrogen during menopause and a natural decrease in muscle mass. Fat is redistributed from our hips and thighs to our abdomen, while a slower metabolism makes it easier to gain weight, even if our calorie intake and activity levels don't change.

'The problem with storing excess fat around the middle isn't just how it affects our confidence or how our clothes fit,' says nutritionist Kim Pearson*. 'It can increase our risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and stroke.'

Visceral fat is an active fat that wraps around your internal organs, secreting hormones and inflammatory chemicals. This raises your risk of these serious health conditions.

What to do

If you need to lose belly fat, try keeping an eye on the calories you eat. No matter how healthy your diet, you can still be prone to belly fat if you eat too much. If you're trying to lose weight, reduce your calorie intake by around 600kcal. Aim for 1,400kcal a day.