A flat belly not only enhances your figure but is also considered a sign of good health.

We Indians have a general tendency to accumulate fat around our abdomen; reasons could be any, from poor eating habits and lack of activity to stress.

If we look at the composition of belly fat, it is of two types: visceral fat and subcutaneous fat.

The visceral fat is that fat that surrounds the abdominal organs.

The subcutaneous fat lies just below the skin.

Excess of visceral fat can have more serious implication on your health than subcutaneous fat.

The type of belly fat is not the same on everyone. In fact, belly fat can be differentiated by the way it is positioned.

So, if your belly is bothering you, try to find out which is your type.

Alcohol Belly

An alcohol belly or beer belly is something that you get if you are in a habit of taking 3-4 drinks regularly.

This type of belly fat sits comparatively high in the abdominal area. It is tightly packed to the abdominal wall as it consists of visceral fat.

This type of fat is difficult to move. As this fat surrounds your essential organs it takes a long time to go.

The best way out is to cut down on your alcohol intake on a permanent basis.

Stress Belly

If you are a teetotaller but still the top area of your abdomen is quick to add on fat then check out your stress levels.

Sometimes poor diet, lack of exercise and sleep can increase the level of cortisol, our body’s main stress hormone.

Stress can also lead to gaining visceral fat around our abdomen.

This type of belly requires healthy diet, good sleep, and lot of cardio.

But the most important thing is to create a balanced lifestyle.

Mommy Belly

If you are a Mom, there is no need to explain what is talked about here.

Once you’re on the Mommy way, your tummy may never be same again.

A Mommy belly is mainly built up of subcutaneous fat and can make your belly look like a pouch.

The good thing is, it is not harmful and can be reduced by diet and power exercises.

But in certain cases, it is the loose skin that gives your tummy the appearance of a pouch.

Hormonal Belly

If you lower waist has been accumulating fat and the touch is soft and jelly-like then chances are hormones are at play.

It could be either insulin resistance or a case of PCOS that might be driving up your insulin levels and leading to this type of fat deposition.

If your diet is rich in carbohydrate, it can further accelerate the fat storage in the lower waist area. In such a case, limit your carbohydrate intake to keep a check on this fat pattern.

Sometimes, it could be your genetic orientation that might be leading to this type of fat build up.

If that is the case, maybe exercises and a customised diet could help.