Question

Can belly fat affect breathing?

Answer 1

Fat:

1. Fats are nutrients in the diet that the body utilises to create cell membranes, nerve tissue (including the brain), and hormones.
2. The body also utilises fat to gain energy.
3. If the consumed fats are not burned out as energy or utilised as building blocks, they are stored by the body in fat cells.
4. Some fats are healthy and part of a nutritious diet.
5. Fats are useful for helping to absorb fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K).
6. However, too much fat can be unhealthy.

Effect of belly fat:

1. Excess fat on the neck, chest, or across the belly can make it difficult to breathe deeply and may produce a hormone that affects the body's breathing patterns.
2. Excess belly fat may affect breathing by pushing on the diaphragm and chest wall, making it harder for the lungs to fill with air.
3. The weight of the fat on the chest wall decreases the proportion of area for air in the lungs. It also pushes up on the diaphragm, restricting its movement, especially while bending over or lying down.
4. Being bulky puts a burden on the whole body. More oxygen must be moved through for the abundant tissues; which causes the heart to work harder and places an enormous burden on the cardiovascular system.
5. Thus, it becomes harder for overweight people to breathe properly.