If you see "love handles" hanging over the sides of your pants when you look in the mirror, you might be concerned by the way that they affect your appearance. However, love handles aren't just unsightly; they can also be dangerous to your health. If you have been putting off doing something about your love handles, now is the time to take them seriously. Here's why.
Your Heart Could Be at Risk
Even though most people already know that being overweight or obese can have an effect on your heart health and can cause you to be at a higher risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks and other issues, many people do not realize just how serious love handles and other belly fat can be. In fact, even those who are not seriously overweight can be at risk if they carry most of their weight in their bellies.
You Could Be More Prone to Diabetes
Diabetes can be life-changing. Even though many people are able to control their diabetes with lifestyle changes and medication, it can cause serious health problems, including loss of vision, problems with your arms and legs and so much more. Even though you might have heard that people who are overweight or obese are at risk of developing diabetes throughout their lives, you might only associate this risk with those who are very overweight. However, not only is risk affected by a person's body mass index, but it's also affected by a person's body shape and how he or she carries their weight.
For example, someone who carries most of their extra weight in their hips and backside might not be as likely to develop diabetes as someone who is actually thinner and has a lower body mass index but who carries most of their weight in their stomach. This is because stomach fat is considered to be "visceral fat." Studies have shown that visceral fat cells are more likely than other types of fat cells to release the hormones that can cause insulin resistance. This can make you more prone to developing diabetes.
As you can see, you shouldn't be worried about your love handles simply from a cosmetic standpoint. Instead, you should consider the dangers that they can pose for your health. If you are carrying extra weight in your love handles or otherwise in your stomach area, now is the time to do something about them so that you can maintain your best possible health.
