You At Your Best

By KAreN riCe NWA DeMoCrAt-gAzette The way to a man's heart may be through his stomach in more ways than one. Doctors have tied heart health to the abdomen, and having extra pounds around one's middle can be detrimental to cardiovascular well-being. While men joke about having a "beer belly," and may see excess belly fat as something that affects their appearance only, the truth is belly fat can have serious health implications for men. Excess visceral fat in the belly, something doctors refer to as "central adiposity," may have potentially serious consequences. Belly fat is particularly dangerous because it doesn't just include the insulating, or subcutaneous, fat under the skin. It is largely visceral fat that also surrounds the organs in the abdomen. The link between belly fat and heart health has long been established, with men who carry more weight around their middles having greater risk of heart attack. Harvard Medical School reports that visceral fat is metabolically active and has been strongly linked to a host of other serious diseases besides heart disease, including cancer, type 2 diabetes and dementia. Visceral fat is like an endocrine organ that secretes hormones and a host of other chemicals linked to diseases that can affect adults. The Mayo Clinic advises that poor diet and fitness habits can contribute to belly fat. As people age, they may have to make more drastic changes to their diets and exercise regimens to counteract changes in their metabolisms. Eliminating sugary beverages, watching portion sizes, counting calories, doing moderate aerobic activity daily, and choosing healthier foods can help tame visceral fat. Also, doctors may recommend those who are stressed to try stress- busting techniques, as stress also may be tied to excessive belly fat. The online health and wellness resource Medical News Today says doctors determine belly fat to be a problem when a man's waist measures 40 inches or more. MRIs also can be used as a fat analyzer and will be judged on a scale of 1 to 59. A measurement of 13 and under is desirable. Men concerned about belly fat can measure their bellies and discuss belly size with their physicians. The Mayo Clinic offers the following guidelines to measure belly size: • Stand and place a tape measure around your bare stomach, just above your hip bone. • Pull the tape measure until it fits snugly around you, but doesn't push into your skin. Make sure the tape measure is level all the way around. • Relax, exhale and measure your waist. Do not suck in your stomach. A waist measurement greater than 40 inches indicates an unhealthy amount of belly fat that can increase a man's risk for heart disease and other health risks. Banish belly fat and improve your health sPoNsor CoNteNt SATURdAY, JUlY 27, 2019 | AUgUST - mEn'S HEAlTH nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST | YOU AT YOUR BEST | 11 sPeCiAl to NWA DeMoCrAt-gAzette The FSAWC is a great place to get involved in the Fayetteville Community. The center is conveniently located at 945 S. College, on the eastern edge of Walker Park. For both senior and non-seniors there are many volunteer opportunities within the center. The Meals on Wheels Program for Fayetteville is operated out of the center and there are eight home-delivered meal routes every day. Six of those routes are driven by volunteers. You can volunteer every day, once a week, or once a month to drive a route. Many of our volunteer route drivers are seniors themselves, who enjoy the chance to get out in the community and help other seniors. There are also opportunities to volunteer within the center that include teaching a class, counting daily donations, decorating for events, picking up product and food donations, helping with the welcome center, and assisting with programs and events. We always need volunteers of all ages! Another way to get involved is by becoming a part of our team here at the center. We currently have a part-time position open for our taxi driver, who provides rides to appointments for homebound seniors in the Fayetteville community. Office staff work with our taxi driver to schedule daily appointments. If you are not able to work or volunteer at the center, then please consider making a financial donation to the center. Half of our annual funding comes from contributions from individuals, businesses, and foundations in Northwest Arkansas who are both generous and community-minded. We simply could not provide our current services to seniors in Fayetteville without your contributions. So donate, volunteer, and get involved! the Fayetteville Senior activity and Wellness Center is a great place to donate, volunteer, work, and get involved

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