Abdominal obesity

Beer Belly

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

• obesity
• central obesity
• weight loss
• ascites
• alcoholism

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

External links

• Why the beer belly may be a myth
• Drink binges 'cause beer belly'