Fortunately for our children, most of us do not consider an ample middle something to advertise. If anything, it's something we would just as soon nobody noticed.
Saw a T-shirt the other day at a school PTA meeting: "This is NOT a beer gut! It's the fuel tank for a SEX machine!"
Humorous? Yes. Embarrassing? Absolutely! Embarrassing not because of the belly fat but because belly fat also represents a reflection of ourselves. A moral character that our friends and neighbors will judge you by.
Extreme belly fat is many times seen as an indication of spinelessness, slovenliness and over indulgence. We tend to blame people for the size of their bodies whether they're responsible or not.
Unfortunately this belly fat problem is many times reflected in all aspects of life: socially,
self-esteem, income, and sexual satisfaction. A number of studies have shown: To be fat is to be an object of derision.
The attitude starts early in life and festers from there. One study showed 6 year olds described their overweight peers as "lazy, dirty, stupid, ugly, and even cheats and liars". Of course, we all know that isn't true and we think, "out of the mouths of babes", but studies also show we do not become anymore enlightened as we grow older. In fact, it gets worse and even doctors and dietitians tend to hold harsher prejudices toward fat patients.
As a society we are generally cruel and make fat people feel so miserable and inadequate that they would rather suffer any other kind of malady than being fat. Just watch the reality show "Biggest Loser" and listen carefully to the contestant's comments. Studies show the overwhelming majority of obese people would rather be deaf than fat and would rather lose a limb or be legally blind than be fat again.
Belly fat is the number one disliked area of the body. Studies show that 50% of all men are dissatisfied with their belly area. In the eyes of many belly fat means lack of class. And those in lower socioeconomic groups are more likely to be fat.
Excess belly fat has a profound affect on self-esteem. Studies show 25% of our self-esteem is influenced by how we feel about our looks. Not so much by what we look like but more so about how you FEEL about what you look like.
There is ample evidence that people who are obese and dislike how they look experience greater incidence of depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. And what is the coping method for most people who experience those problems? They EAT!
The good news is studies also show that even the loss of a very small amount of fat can and does result in big and very positive psychological change.
Not surprisingly our self images are directly related to our sex lives. Studies show as women lose weight their interest in sex increases and they not only had sex more often they also enjoyed it more.
While men are a little less fragile in their sexuality than women and are less likely to be as affected by belly fat studies do show that both men and women experienced feeling more sexual and had a greater interest in sex as they lose weight. Especially belly fat.
That extra belly fat affects more than just the sexual side of things. It also affects how much money you make, which schools you get into and what jobs you are hired for.
Again, on a positive note it is proven that even a small amount of weight loss can lead to big life improvements. So, if you are looking for another reason to lose that belly fat, the personal discrimination experienced by those with excessive belly fat is certainly one to consider.
