Yes, having weight around your middle increases your risk of heart disease, hypertension, cancer, and dementia. An extra spare tire can also be fatal.

According to a study from the National Institute of Health, women whose waists are bigger than 35 inches are more than twice as likely to die of heart disease than women whose middles measure less than 28 inches.

Belly fat can increase your risk of diabetes. That’s because excess fat around your midsection affects your muscles. Healthy muscles use up a lot of the sugar you consume, and sluggish muscles don’t metabolize sugar as well.

New research shows that eating blueberries can help reduce abdominal fat. Doing crunches will strengthen your ab muscles, but it won’t decrease belly fat. You’ll need to do some type of cardio, such as running, to burn calories. Interval training in particular can help dissolve the jiggle around your middle. Alternating between moderate and vigorous movements is more effective than working out at a steady speed.

Eating foods that contain trans fat is associated with causing belly fat. Hydrogenated oil is a type of trans fat, so check labels and avoid foods that contain it.

So tell me, did any of these answers surprise you? Did you know that Belly Fat can be such a risk to your health?