The Dangers of Belly Fat

Jane E. Brody writes in The New York Times:

In general, if your waist measures 35 or more inches for women or 40 or more inches for men, chances are you’re harboring a potentially dangerous amount of abdominal fat.

Subcutaneous fat that lurks beneath the skin as “love handles” or padding on the thighs, buttocks or upper arms may be cosmetically challenging, but it is otherwise harmless. However, the deeper belly fat — the visceral fat that accumulates around abdominal organs — is metabolically active and has been strongly linked to a host of serious disease risks, including heart disease, cancer and dementia.

I measured my belly right after dinner and it is at 37 inches. Last week, I went to bed with a stomach ache almost every night from eating too much. I am now cutting back my portion and getting back to walking and jogging. Last week, I also stayed up late to revise my book. I need to get at least seven hours of sleep again.