Introduction:
If the middle section of the body feels slightly larger than usual, or if a person tries on a pair of jeans that do not fit but used to fit a week ago, they might wonder if they have gained some weight or if it is just bloating. However the two may look and feel similar, but weight gain and bloating are totally different. Bloating is the subjective sensation of abdominal fullness, pressure, or trapped gas. In other words, it is when the belly becomes enlarged with gas or fluid. It is mostly a temporary condition. Meanwhile, belly or abdominal fat may accumulate over time. It is recommended to have a less calorie intake diet and an increase in exercise to go away.
What Is Belly Fat?
Belly fat is an accumulation of abdominal fat that is excessively stored throughout the body via adipocytes, also known as fat cells. If a person intakes more calories than they can burn off. They may start noticing the deposition of fat and weight gain; they may also notice it on other parts of the body as well, such as the back and thighs. Fat deposition takes time, especially around the middle section of the body, and remains there longer. However, being tight like bloating, it feels spongy and soft. The major difference between bloating and belly fat is how it changes throughout the day. Fat is adamant, and hard to break down, but bloating gets over with meals, bowel movements, and digestion.
What Is Bloating?
Bloating is considered a feeling of fullness, pressure, trapped gas or tightness, and pressure in the abdomen. In similar words, it is when the stomach gets expanded from gas build-up or water retention after eating a certain type of food item. As per different clinical studies, an alluring fact about these two conditions is that only about half of patients who complain of bloating mainly experience abdominal distention. Hence, bloating is a temporary and troublesome condition, often triggered by certain food.
Specific food which is more difficult to digest. As a result, they keep a person fuller for extended periods. High-fiber foods like beans, and dairy products, overeating, the consumption of too much salt, chewing gum, and swallowing air are the most common causes of bloating. A person with lactose intolerance (the inability to digest milk and milk products) is one of the causes of bloating.
Unlike excess fat and skin build-up, it is possible to get rid of belly-bloating with probiotics, fermented foods like kimchi, yogurt, kombucha, kanji, peppermint oil, and herbal teas.
What Causes Bloating?
Bloating is caused by several potential things. Following are some of the more common factors that trigger bloating:
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Gas Trapped in the Intestines - It is a common cause of bloating, but it is also a common symptom of other gastrointestinal problems or disorders. Consult with a doctor if a person has concerns or if they are experiencing recurring or constant bloating problems.
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Diet - Diet plays an important role. Eating too much fiber, beans, dairy products, and other foods is a major cause of bloating and gas formation.
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Constipation - Having insufficient bowel movements means that stool remains in the colon longer than it should. Researchers say that this gives bacteria more time to ferment it, which results in excess gas and bloating.
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease - In certain bowel disorders like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract can trap gas and result in bloating.
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Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) - In people with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), an atypical increase of bacteria is found in the small intestine. When the colon has abnormal levels of bacteria it is known as dysbiosis; healthcare providers say bacteria can overgrow into the small intestine. This leads to many digestive symptoms, even bloating.
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Eating Too Quickly - It is believed that eating too quickly can temporarily cause bloating.
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Other Medical Conditions - Several medical associated conditions can make a person feel bloated. Healthcare provider says the following conditions can slow the transit of food in the gut, change the microbiome from healthy bacteria to unhealthy gas-producing bacteria, or cause constipation:
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Food allergies.
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
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Parasitic infections.
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Ascites are a serious medical condition that causes fluid to build up in the abdomen.
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Bowel obstruction.
What Causes Abdominal Fat Gain?
However, stomach bloat that comes and goes throughout the day, abdominal fat, also known as visceral fat, sticks around in the middle section till a person makes permanent changes to remove it. Abdominal fat is mostly the result of overall weight gain. This happens when a person intakes more calories than the body is burning while working out or doing daily routine activities. For some people, abdominal fat is accumulated because of an unhealthy and not-so-balanced diet and very less physical activity. But for others, it might be caused by an unhealthy diet, and more specifically, having too many calories. This can happen even though they exercise every day or have a proper routine.
Foods items that may lead to abdominal fat gain include the following:
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Sugar-containing foods and drinks.
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Alcohol.
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Foods with high levels of trans fats.
According to a 2021 research, carrying excess fat around the midsection can put a person at risk of:
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Type 2 diabetes
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Heart disease.
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High blood pressure or hypertension.
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Disorders related to metabolism.
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Menopause can also contributes to an increase in middle-section fat. This is mainly because of a decrease in estrogen levels which leads to fat being stored in the abdomen.
Conclusion:
It is very important to understand the differences between stomach bloat and abdominal fat can help a person determine the cause of their symptoms and the best option to manage them. Bloating is mostly temporary. It is mostly caused by something in the diet, a medical condition, or an unhealthy lifestyle. Whereas abdominal fat is deposited due to an unhealthy diet, very less exercise or movement, and in some other cases, medical conditions. It’s also more permanent unless a person takes action to overcome it.
