Question: How can I get rid of stubborn belly fat? I’m an older man and my belly persists even though I maintain a balanced diet and high fitness level. No matter how much weight I lose, the stubborn belly fat remains.


Dr. Hibberd's answer:
Most experts agree that, no matter what your weight, a waist circumference over 35 inches for a woman and over 40 for a man indicates that you may have unsafe levels of visceral fat. What exercise regime do you follow? A Duke University study concluded that 30 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, done four times per week, reduced abdominal fat. Additionally, people who slept five hours or less, or eight or more hours, per night gained more visceral fat than those who slept between six and seven hours per night; so, an ideal night sleep is about 7 hours.
Clinical evidence also supports the fact that lowering stress levels (measured by cortisol levels) plays a role in stubborn belly fat. You can try yoga and meditation, or prayer to reduce stress. Yoga must be done under the guidance of a professional. However, all studies point to the fact that exercise has maximum benefit — it tackles fat and reduces stress.

I do hope that you have visited your healthcare provider, and ruled out high lipid and glucose levels. Abdominal fat is also associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events, and a preventive check can assess this risk.