Daily Times

Your belly is your powerhouse. Modern research shows that strong abdominal muscles increase physical endurance. Ancient martial arts harness the power of life force, “Chi”, from the navel. Vedic science elaborates on importance of the stimulating the core to invoke the vital force (kundalini) and three major chakras.

Abdominal muscles are designed to work round the clock, giving support to spine and managing upper body weight. The fat in the belly area is not only unappealing aesthetically but also a danger sign for health.

The body fat can be pinched and felt especially around the thighs and arms. But belly fat is different from fat in other parts of the body. It is known as “visceral fat”. It’s the most harmful fat in the body as it is engulfs the organs, especially the liver. Visceral fat increases the risk of heart disease, type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome and cholesterol issues. Thus, an increase in the waist circumference must be monitored for prevention of life threatening diseases. John Hopkins Hospital and Intermountain Medical Centre in USA conducted a research to assess the impact of abdominal obesity on heart in patients who had type 1 or type 2 diabetes who hadn’t displayed any symptoms of heart disease. The research concluded that having an apple-shaped body, is a strong predictor of serious heart disease in patients who have diabetes.

In ancient cultures, obesity was associated with affluence and leanness with poverty. However, wellness trends are different these days. Obesity now appears to be a threat regardless of one’s economic situation. In Pakistan, we are seeing a change in the attitudes and mindsets of the general population. They are falling into the trap of associating prosperity and modernism with fast food restaurants, a luxury in the past.

Obesity, An Emerging Epidemic in Pakistan, an Ag Khan University publication, highlights the fact a large Pakistani population is suffering from obesity due to unhealthy lifestyles, unhealthy diets and lack of adequate physical inactivity.

Eating patterns in Asia are changing with low-quality fat being consumed in high quantities. Trans fats (bad fat) are processed with chemicals to increase shelf life

What causes the belly fat? An interesting case study is mentioned in the bestseller Why we get fat by Gary Taubes, about the native Indian American tribe, Pima. In 1850s the tribe lived off hunting and grew corn, beans, wheat, melons and figs and were described to be in “fine health”.

The social patterns changed as more travellers passed through. Game became extinct and food was exported. Pima was hit with famine and the poor population lived off government rations. Suddenly obesity became an epidemic in Pima. The anthropologist concluded that “the answer lies in the type of food being consumed, a question of quality rather than quantity”. Government rations included white flour and sugar. Even though their women did all the hard labour, they became obese. Gary Taubes concludes it well, “culprit was the type of food”.

Today prevalence of obesity and obesity-related chronic disease is increasing at an alarming rate in booming economies like China. A study on Trends in Obesity and Chronic Disease in China, published in the International Journal of Obesity (2007) noted that cardiovascular disease has been the leading cause of death in China since the 1990. Growing global trade and exchange of food products between China and other countries made a number of food products relatively cheaper than in the past. These included foods linked to obesity, such as edible oil and sugar. The study highlights the fact that the shift from traditional diets to high-fat and high-energy diets has contributed to the changes seen in people’s nutritional status, mortality and morbidity patterns.

Eating patterns in Asia are changing with low-quality fat being consumed in high quantities. Trans fats (bad fat) are processed with chemicals to increase shelf life. These are used in many bakery items, fried street food, cookies and fast food.

Good fats are essential for the health of the cellular membrane. The recommended daily consumption for an adult is 10 to 15 grams (a teaspoon holds 5grams). Two digestive biscuits contain 7 grams of bad fat. In a study at Wake Forest University, monkeys eating a typical American diet for 6 years gained human equivalent of 10 pounds more when they ate all trans fat, compared to those eating monounsaturated (good) fat.

So what’s adding pounds to your belly? Sugar or carbs or proteins or fat? All of them. Quantity and quality of food are both significant for healthy longevity. Don’t shy away from eliminating low quality fats, processed meats, refined carbs and excessive sugar. The key is to practise balance with energy intake and ensure a good exercise output.

The writer is a wellness and yoga expert