Dr. Mitchell says, "Abdominal fat secretes inflammatory chemicals that can damage blood vessels and cause heart disease.
"Abdominal fat is measured by waist circumference," says Dr. Mitchell. Men with a 40-inch waist are too big.
"Losing abdominal fat can be difficult, but there are things you can do," says Dr. Mitchell.
"Abdominal fat increases heart disease risk," says Dr. Mitchell. Extra abdominal fat increases heart disease risk.
Dr. Mitchell says abdominal fat increases diabetes risk for several reasons. "It raises blood sugar. It also causes insulin resistance.
"Excess abdominal fat is a risk factor for colon, rectal, pancreatic, breast, and endometrial cancers," says Dr. Mitchell.