Menopot Fat vs. Visceral Fat

March 6, 2008

Photo by Pedrosimoes
fighting-fat.jpgMiddle-aged women are commonly frustrated with extra weight gain going straight to their buttocks, thighs, and belly. 

If you are attempting to fight off a middle-aged belly, it is important to learn about the two types of fat and whether or not they pose any danger to your health.

Fat No. 1:  Menopot fat.  This is a layer of fat that lies on top of the abdomen.  It is also referred to as the ”pinch-an-inch” fat and will cause the body to have an ”apple” shape.   It is quite common for women to gain 3-5 pounds of menopot fat around the belly as they reach perimenopause, although men can get it too as they approach age 40.  As long as the weight gain is minimal, chances are menopot fat won’t cause any serious health problems.

What causes menopot fat and how do you get rid of it? Menopot fat develops on women’s hips, thighs, and buttocks during perimenopause due to changing levels of estrogen.  Daily stomach crunches alone won’t get rid of it.  Watch calorie intake and decrease the consumption of white carbohydrates and sugar.  Exercising with aerobics, walking, and weight training will greatly help burn fat. 

Fat No. 2:  Visceral fat.  This is fat that lies beneath the abdominal wall.  It surrounds vital organs thereby making it much more dangerous than menopot fat.  It increases the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems.  With visceral fat, the abdomen protrudes excessively giving you a “pot belly” or “beer belly” effect. 

What causes visceral fat and how do you get rid of it?

Genetics is partly responsible for visceral fat.  However, a high-saturated fat diet and low physical activity contribute as well.  You can get rid of visceral fat by building muscle through weight lifting or other resistance training as muscles will burn fat.  The more muscles you have, the more fat you’ll burn.

How do you tell the difference between menopot fat and visceral fat?

When lying down, menopot fat will fall to the side while visceral fat will stay raised. 

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Posted by Julie Alexander | Filed Under Blog, Weight Loss 

Comments

6 Responses to “Menopot Fat vs. Visceral Fat”

  1. Tom on March 8th, 2008 3:56 am

    I didn’t realize that there was a difference between the types of fat. From what I understand, the abdomen is one of the first places the body stores fat. When someone begins to become overweight, is the amount of visceral fat the first place it is noticeable?

  2. Health, Fitness, Science on March 9th, 2008 4:11 pm

    thanks for the info. I am trying my best to watch my calorie intake. But honestly it’s hard. I exercise as much as I can although most of the time, I am caught up with my busy schedule. I really thing it’s not about the age where you get this kinds of fats. It depends on your lifestyle. That even if you are younger you can have all of these. However, it is faster to burn fats when you’re younger.

    Thank you so much for the info.

  3. feefifoto on March 10th, 2008 1:58 am

    Thanks — I thought I was going crazy or possibly snacking in my sleep because I’m eating the same as always and yet my pants have all gotten tighter in the past couple of years.

  4. Julie Alexander on March 11th, 2008 12:16 am

    Tom,

    The word “menopot” was actually coined by Dr. Pamela Peeke in her book, “Body for Life for Women.” It usually hits women around age 40 although men can get it too. (Peeke uses the word “manopot” for men.) Getting menopot is normal and does not cause illness. It comes with aging and is usually no more than 5 pounds (according to Dr. Peeke). So to answer your question, the visceral fat would be the most noticeable in an overweight person as well as the most dangerous.

    Here’s a link to a Q&A in which Dr. Peeke references menopot:

    http://health.discovery.com/national-body-challenge/ask-pam/marlene.html

  5. Paul Eilers on March 17th, 2008 5:51 am

    This is very good information. My wife is losing weight right now and getting back into shape, after having had our baby a few months ago.

    Paul

  6. Jeff Iversen on March 30th, 2008 10:26 am

    Another reason for the weight around the middle might have something to do with metabolic syndrome. Google it to find out more. This syndrome usually hits those above 40 also. This is the precursor to diabetes. It comes from spiking your blood sugar for years with high-glycemic foods. Google glycemic index and glycemic load. Surprisingly, foods like white bread, white potatoes, white rice and soda pop will spike your blood sugar higher than a bowl of candy bars. Once you get metabolic syndrome, you can count all the calories you want and exercise until you are blue in the face. Until you find a way to reverse what has caused metabolic syndrome, you will find it tough to lose weight around the middle. Twenty five percent of the adult population has Met. synd. and 25% are on the way. That means that 50% of all adults and 1/3 of our children already have evidence of early insulin resistance or the full-blown metabolic syndrome. Before you start counting calories , look at going low-glycemic.

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