Abdominal obesity: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:beerbelly.jpg|thumb|Beer Belly]] |
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{{DiseaseDisorder infobox | |
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Name = Central obesity | |
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ICD10 = E66 | |
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ICD9 = {{ICD9|278}} | |
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}} |
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A '''beer belly''' or '''beer gut''' is a physical human trait characterised by a horizontal overhang of [[fat]] above the [[waist]], with little apparent fat on the rest of the [[human body|body]]. Despite its name, there is no evidence that beer bellies are caused by the consumption of alcohol. The sole study conducted on the subject concluded that those who think "people are obese because they drink too much beer" are wrong. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3175488.stm] Similarly, Dr. Meir Stampfer of Harvard School of Public Health - a leading authority on alcohol and health - states that "though it's often called a 'beer belly,' beer does not promote weight or waist gain any more than any other source of calories." |
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'''Central obesity''' (or 'apple-shaped' or 'masculine' [[obesity]]) occurs when the main deposits of [[adipose tissue|body fat]] are localised around the [[abdomen]] and the upper body. Central obesity is correlated with [[visceral fat]]. |
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== Who gets it? == |
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The beer belly is usually associated with men (women tend to store excess fat in other areas such as the [[hip (anatomy)|hips]] and [[buttocks]]). A lack of [[muscle tone]] in the [[abdominal]] [[muscle]]s contributes to the appearance of the beer belly, with the overhang often increasing with age. |
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==Associations== |
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Central obesity is common in [[polycystic ovary syndrome]] (PCOS) and [[Syndrome X (metabolic)|Syndrome X]], and it is associated with a statistically higher risk of [[heart disease]], [[hypertension]], [[insulin resistance]] and [[diabetes mellitus]] type 2. |
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== Beer and Weight Gain == |
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Central obesity can also be a feature of [[lipodystrophy|lipodystrophies]], a group of diseases which is either [[genetic disorder|inherited]], or due to secondary causes (often [[protease inhibitor (pharmacology)|protease inhibitor]]s, a group of [[medication]]s against [[AIDS]]). |
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The primary energy-bearing constitutents of beer are [[ethanol|alcohol]] and [[carbohydrates]]; beer has no fat and very little protein content. Light beers and low-alcohol beers carry less [[food energy]] than other beers [http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/alcohol/alcohol_info1.shtml]. Even heavier beers carry less energy per glass than sugared [[cola]] drinks, and one study has shown that non-drinkers adding a single serving of alcohol to their diet daily does not contribute to weight gain. Other studies have also found alcohol consumption to be unassociated with weight gain, for reasons not yet understood. However, some beer drinkers consume high-calorie [[junk food]]—such as [[potato chips]]—alongside beer, while others simply drink inordinate amounts of beer. For instance, a 40 U.S. fluid ounce (1.2 liter) bottle of [[Miller Brewing|MGD]] (Miller Genuine Draft), which might be consumed as a single serving by a heavy drinker, contains about 485 calories (2,030 kilojoules). |
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==Diagnosis== |
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Central obesity is diagnosed by measuring the [[waist-hip ratio]]. When this exceeds 1.0 in men or 0.9 in women, one can speak of central obesity. |
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== Fact or Myth? == |
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[[Weight loss]] is the main intervention against central obesity when this is considered disfiguring or when it puts one at a risk for the above mentioned diseases. Adjunctive therapies are the use of [[orlistat]] or [[sibutramine]]. In the presence of [[diabetes mellitus|diabetes mellitus type 2]], the physician might prefer to prescribe [[metformin]] and [[thiazolidinedione]]s ([[rosiglitazone]] or [[pioglitazone]]) as [[anti-diabetic drug]]s rather than [[sulfonylurea]] derivatives. |
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There is a widespread myth that "beer bellies" are the result of a fatty or enlarged liver. While excessive consumption of any alcohol can lead to [[fatty liver]] or even irreversible [[Cirrhosis|liver damage]], this does not cause the fatty paunch associated with a beer belly. While being obese or overweight has its own health risks, neither is indicative of damage to the liver. |
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One study, however, has shown a link between binge drinking and beer belly [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4048969.stm]. |
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* [[Beer belly]] |
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* [[obesity]] |
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* [[central obesity]] |
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* [[weight loss]] |
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* [[ascites]] |
* [[ascites]] |
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==Sources== |
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*Supplements aren't the secret to health. (Interview with Dr. Meir Stampfer) ''Newsweek'', January 16, 2006, p. 88. |
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*Henry, Reg. The beer gut: another half-baked myth. ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'', April 26, 2006. |
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[[Category:Medical conditions related to obesity]] |
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*[http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/HealthIssues/1083349678.html Calories, Carbs & Fat in Popular Beverages] |
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*[http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/AlcoholCaloriesAndWeight.html Alcohol, Calories & Weight] |
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==External links== |
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* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3175488.stm Why the beer belly may be a myth] |
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* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4048969.stm Drink binges 'cause beer belly'] |
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[[de:Bierbauch]] |
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[[nl:Bierbuik]] |
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[[fi:Kaljamaha]] |
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[[sv:Ölmage]] |
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Revision as of 01:52, 24 July 2006
A beer belly or beer gut is a physical human trait characterised by a horizontal overhang of fat above the waist, with little apparent fat on the rest of the body. Despite its name, there is no evidence that beer bellies are caused by the consumption of alcohol. The sole study conducted on the subject concluded that those who think "people are obese because they drink too much beer" are wrong. [1] Similarly, Dr. Meir Stampfer of Harvard School of Public Health - a leading authority on alcohol and health - states that "though it's often called a 'beer belly,' beer does not promote weight or waist gain any more than any other source of calories."
Who gets it?
The beer belly is usually associated with men (women tend to store excess fat in other areas such as the hips and buttocks). A lack of muscle tone in the abdominal muscles contributes to the appearance of the beer belly, with the overhang often increasing with age.
Beer and Weight Gain
The primary energy-bearing constitutents of beer are alcohol and carbohydrates; beer has no fat and very little protein content. Light beers and low-alcohol beers carry less food energy than other beers [2]. Even heavier beers carry less energy per glass than sugared cola drinks, and one study has shown that non-drinkers adding a single serving of alcohol to their diet daily does not contribute to weight gain. Other studies have also found alcohol consumption to be unassociated with weight gain, for reasons not yet understood. However, some beer drinkers consume high-calorie junk food—such as potato chips—alongside beer, while others simply drink inordinate amounts of beer. For instance, a 40 U.S. fluid ounce (1.2 liter) bottle of MGD (Miller Genuine Draft), which might be consumed as a single serving by a heavy drinker, contains about 485 calories (2,030 kilojoules).
Fact or Myth?
There is a widespread myth that "beer bellies" are the result of a fatty or enlarged liver. While excessive consumption of any alcohol can lead to fatty liver or even irreversible liver damage, this does not cause the fatty paunch associated with a beer belly. While being obese or overweight has its own health risks, neither is indicative of damage to the liver.
One study, however, has shown a link between binge drinking and beer belly [3].
See also
Sources
- Supplements aren't the secret to health. (Interview with Dr. Meir Stampfer) Newsweek, January 16, 2006, p. 88.
- Henry, Reg. The beer gut: another half-baked myth. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 26, 2006.
- Calories, Carbs & Fat in Popular Beverages
- Alcohol, Calories & Weight