Losing weight is not as easy as it seems. Apart from indulging in exercise and eating a healthy diet, it demands consistency and requires intense motivation. This is especially if you’re targeting belly and thigh fat. Both these areas are said to be the most difficult to lose weight. Why? Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Farah Ingale, Director-Internal Medicine, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, answers.
What Is Belly Fat Versus Thigh Fat?
Belly fat is the fat that accumulates around the abdominal region, which includes the liver, pancreas, and intestines. Also known as visceral fat, it poses health risks as it can contribute to various chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic disorders.
On the other hand, thigh fat refers to the accumulation of fat in the thighs, particularly in the subcutaneous layer beneath the skin. Both belly and thigh fat are influenced by lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, and genetics.
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According to Dr Ingale, while thigh fat consists of subcutaneous fat, belly fat mostly consists of visceral fats wrapped around the inner organs. The former is found directly under the skin and may even have some potential benefits like acting as an energy reserve for the body while also providing padding to protect your muscles and bones from injuries, unlike visceral fat, which indicates an unhealthy lifestyle and poses a greater risk to a person’s well-being than any other fat.
A study published in the Journal Circulation explores the association between obesity and the development of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) and highlights abdominal obesity as a cardiovascular disease risk marker that is independent of Body Mass Index (BMI).
Is Belly Fat More Difficult To Lose Than Thigh Fat Or Vice Versa?
“Unsurprisingly, belly and thigh fat are tough to lose, even with intense workouts and strict diets,” says Dr Ingale, adding, “Since belly fat has more fat cells that refuse to respond to lipolysis, which is the fat-breakdown process, they can be tough to lose.”
Explaining further, he says, “Our body is divided into two types of receptors in fat cells, known as alpha-2 and beta-2 cells. While alpha-2 receptors respond more to lipolysis, beta-2 cells do not respond well to the fat-breakdown process. Our belly and abdominal regions possess more beta cells, making reducing fats challenging.”
Therefore, many parts of our body, like legs, face and arms, have more alpha cells, making weight loss quicker in these areas.
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Weight Loss Tips To Follow
Here are some of the most effective tips to shed kilos and lose both belly and thigh fat:
- Follow a healthy diet
- Indulge in regular physical activity
- Choose the right foods
- Cut down on unhealthy carbs and fats and limit your intake of processed foods
- Stay hydrated
Conclusion
Belly or thigh, losing fat in any part of the body is a task. While belly fat may be harder to lose, equal effort goes into losing weight in general. It is important that you focus on losing overall weight instead of targeting a particular area. Once you’ve achieved your desired weight, you can focus on building muscles and achieving a toned body.
