What causes a long belly

Long belly may be caused by visceral fat accumulation, abdominal muscle relaxation, intestinal bloating, changes in hormone levels, abdominal fluid accumulation, and other reasons. Abdominal fat accumulation is usually related to overeating and lack of exercise, and pathological factors need to be judged based on specific symptoms.

1. Accumulation of visceral fat

Long term high calorie diet and prolonged sitting can lead to the deposition of fat around the visceral organs, forming central obesity. This type of fat metabolism is active and can easily lead to insulin resistance, increasing the risk of metabolic syndrome. The typical manifestation is that the waist circumference exceeds the standard value, and caution should be taken for males exceeding 90 centimeters or females exceeding 85 centimeters.

2. Abdominal muscle relaxation

Postpartum women or those who lack core exercise often have rectus abdominis muscle separation, and weakened abdominal muscle tone can cause visceral protrusion. The loss of collagen caused by aging can also exacerbate skin sagging, resulting in the appearance of abdominal distension. Exercise such as plank support can help improve muscle tone.

3. Intestinal bloating

When digestive function is disrupted, an imbalance in gut microbiota can produce excessive gas. Lactose intolerant individuals may experience persistent bloating after consuming dairy products or consuming excessively high gas foods such as beans and onions. Hyperactivity of bowel sounds or increased exhaust is a typical feature.

4. Changes in hormone levels

Menopausal estrogen decline can promote the redistribution of fat to the abdomen, and long-term elevation of cortisol can also lead to central obesity. When hypothyroidism occurs, the metabolic rate decreases, and even with a normal diet, abdominal fat accumulation may occur, often accompanied by symptoms such as fear of cold and constipation.

5. Abdominal fluid accumulation

Diseases such as cirrhosis and heart failure can lead to abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, forming mobile voiced sounds. Hematogenous ascites may also occur when malignant tumors metastasize to the peritoneum. This type of situation is often accompanied by systemic symptoms such as lower limb edema and difficulty breathing, and requires immediate medical examination and screening.

It is recommended to regularly measure the waist to hip ratio, with males exceeding 0.9 or females exceeding 0.85 indicating a risk of central obesity. Daily intake of dietary fiber can be increased to promote intestinal peristalsis, and exercise such as swimming and yoga can be chosen to strengthen the core muscle group. If abdominal distension continues to worsen or is accompanied by symptoms such as sudden weight loss and jaundice, timely abdominal ultrasound and other examinations should be performed to rule out organic diseases. Establishing regular sleep patterns and stress reducing habits also play an important role in regulating hormone balance.