If you've even the slightest interest in fitness, health and dieting the chances are good that by now you've heard about "omentum." You have probably even seen Dr. Oz on Oprah showing the world what this sheet of fat that covers the belly looks like. (Myinnerathlete.com even did a podcast about omentum in 2006.) We all know that omentum isn't good but in a recent study it turns out that omentum can be deadly, especially in older Americans and even if you aren't considered overweight by any other standards.
(Read the full article on the article about belly fat here.) According to the article cited, if a woman's waist is greater than 35 inches (40 inches for a man) are deemed to be at high risk for weight-related illness. The study focuses on the increasing risk as people age. My guess is that this increase in waist circumference is at least partly due to not using those abdominal muscles as much as younger people might.
So here's a reminder to engage your abdomen. You can use those muscles while climbing stairs, jogging and even just by using proper posture.
(Read the full article on the article about belly fat here.) According to the article cited, if a woman's waist is greater than 35 inches (40 inches for a man) are deemed to be at high risk for weight-related illness. The study focuses on the increasing risk as people age. My guess is that this increase in waist circumference is at least partly due to not using those abdominal muscles as much as younger people might.
So here's a reminder to engage your abdomen. You can use those muscles while climbing stairs, jogging and even just by using proper posture.
If you read the referenced article and follow the link to MayoClinic.com, you'll learn that:
"Sit-ups help make your abdominal muscles stronger, but spot exercises alone won't specifically reduce belly fat. The best way to shrink your waist size is to lower your total body fat through healthy eating and exercise."
So you can engage your abdomen all you want, but it won't do much good about belly fat unless you exercise more and eat healthier.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/belly-fat/MC00054/NSECTIONGROUP=2
Yes, nonplus I agree. You can't just do crunches and expect to shrink your waist. However, one of the disconcerting things is that belly fat was noted as a danger in people who were otherwise considered healthy (within their proper BMI index).
From an anecdotal perspective, I have noticed within my own health history an inclination to rely more on my lower back than on my abs for simple things like walking, climbing stars and so on. This resulted in lower back strain and soreness to which my own doctor advised for me to use and strengthen my core muscles.
That said there is no "Merez clinic" so by all means defer to the Mayo. And still, it doesn't hurt to practice good posture and strengthen one's core...while eating healthy and exercising all around.
Crunches, like Man, is no island. They need to be connected to diet and other excercises to make a body truly fit and healthy.