These “fatty streaks” are early signs of atherosclerosis or progressive narrowing and hardening of the arteries due to the build up of cholesterol, fatty deposits and other cells in the inner artery walls or intimae.

A childhood obesity study in The New England Journal Of Medicine last December found that a higher body mass index in childhood is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease in adulthood.  Cardiologists say that truncal obesity or belly fat is deadly for the heart.  Men’s waits should not measure more than 90 cm while Women’s waist sizes should not exceed 80 cm.

The sooner you get rid of belly fat, the better.  If you have been obese for 40 years, your body and heart will have been damaged by obesity for 40 years.

The above article is extracted from “Mind Your Body” section on 25th September of The Straits Times in Singapore, an article titled “Heart of the matter”.

It looks like this is one of the most commonly asked questions by common individuals like you and me and more so for adults above the age of 40.

During a dinner that I had 2 weeks ago, 2 of my friends both over the age of 40 has been complaining that they are putting on weight especially the belly fat even when they are not eating much or even lesser that what they used to be eating.

Both recognized that it is the dropping of their metabolism that is causing them to put on weight and was asking me what can I do about it?

Why did they ask me?

Simply because my friends have seen me that I have lost a couple of inches from my belly.  In fact, my waist has dropped from 36 to 33 inches and this feels really great especially when you look into the mirror after you are dressed to see that you no longer have the bulge.

Nobody likes to have the belly bulge when they are dressed in their favorite dresses or shirts after I have managed to shed inches off my belly, I was noticing that most of the  adults on the streets that looks to be after the age of 40, has an unwanted belly bulge.

Besides not looking good with the belly fat, we should also be looking to eliminate it for health reasons.

In an article by “Mind Your Body” section of the Straits Times, cardiologists say that truncal obesity or belly fat is deadly for the heart.  Men’s waist should not measure more than 90 cm while Women’s waist sizes should not exceed 80 cm.

A childhood obesity study in The New England Journal Of Medicine last December found that a higher body mass index in childhood is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease in adulthood.

What can you do to get rid of your fat belly?

If you want to slim quick method, you can start taking fat loss supplement like Bios Life Slim to help you in losing body fat faster and we have seen testimonials of some individuals who have seen results as soon as 6 weeks and up to 90 days to start seeing results after taking Bios Life Slim.

Looking to burning your fat belly naturally?

Then you can try the following combination of methods:

• Take a fiber supplement before your meals so that you have a fuller feeling and will eat lesser
• Do brisk walking preferably at 7.2 KM/H of at least 30 minutes 3 times a day
• Take an apple in the morning 30 minutes before your breakfast
• Have at least 12 hours in between your dinner and your breakfast
• Avoid high sugar intake like soft drinks and sports drinks
• Take a high fiber, high protein and low carbohydrates dinner
• If you really need carbohydrates, take complex carbohydrates instead of simple carbohydrates
• Chew your food about 20 times before you swallow

Now, these are just some of the simple activities that you can take to burning body fat naturally and it will not be fast but it beats than doing nothing to reduce your belly fat.

It is the first month to the Year 2009 and you can set a simple goal of losing half to one inch off your belly fat in every month or 2 months and you will look fantastic at the end of the year or even on your next class or family gathering.

During their study, scholars have found that – “families whose meals frequently consist of fast food are more likely to have unhealthy eating habits, poor access to healthy foods at home, and a higher risk for obesity”. (AJCN Jan. 2007)

The study also established a positive correlation between a higher frequency of fast food dinners and obesity and a higher body mass index (BMI) in adults.

In another study looking for a correlation between fast food and body mass index, Dr. Barry M. Popkin of the University of North Carolina and his team found that the fast food consumption had a direct impact on an individual’s health so much so that it could convert a non-diabetic to diabetic. This study also compared the increase in body mass index (BMI) of fast food eaters and those eating at traditional restaurants. In case of traditional restaurants, the studies couldn’t establish a correlation between food and BMI.

More studies, particularly the one conducted by Kavnagh and her team found that the fat content in burgers and French fries could make one fatter by nearly 1/3 with same calorie count in other food. The study, which was conducted on monkeys over a period of six years, confirmed that the monkeys who were fed on fast food had 30% more fat around their bellies.

These studies have just confirmed the trends, which were already visible. With the spread of fast food culture, obesity has also spread. Obesity has reached the proportion of epidemic in the U.S. It is also said that people have chosen this kind of lifestyle and they are now facing the consequences. The easy availability of fast food and tempting aroma and tastes have led to mushroomed growth of fast food outlets. Add to that aggressive advertising strategies adopted by the industry have increased the consumer base by manifolds and so has been the growth of obesity.

Fast foods items are usually fried preparations and increase problems like indigestion and acidity. This type of food also acts as retarding agent for Metabolic functioning due to recurrent intake of fast foods that can result in unrestrained overeating tendencies, which are undoubtedly one of the major causes of obesity. More than twice consumed fast food in a week can increase weight by over ten pounds. Therefore it’s in one’s own interest to avoid it.

While, the fast food companies are doing a little to check their unhealthy practices, awareness has also led to imposition of ban on trans-fat in countries like Denmark. New York City is also going to impose certain restrictions on such unhealthy food.

However, these are just a few of the isolated cases. Fast food industry is growing and obesity is growing. The big question is how long this can be allowed to happen. These big companies on the basis of their wide networks and multinational presence are bound to spread these killer diseases like diabetes and heart problems through obesity before they are not permanently stopped.

Generally, fast food restaurants serve food that is very low in fiber content. Consumers can add fiber content to their food by adding weight loss products like Bios Life Slim or other similar products, which are otherwise healthy options and balance their diet.

Health experts make some recommendations towards healthy eating habits like:

• Say No to foods like doughnuts, burgers, fries, sugar cereals, processed meat or canned soup, etc.
• Take small and frequent meals instead of few large meals
• Make fruits, green vegetables and pulses part of in your diet
• Alcoholic beverages and artificially sweetened beverages are also fattening.