TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Belly fat usually results from excessive calorie intake plus a sedentary lifestyle. Certain eating habits can lead to excessive calorie consumption, according to the researchers.
Sometimes, hormonal balance can lead to the accumulation of excess belly fat, but lifestyle factors remain the main cause of the condition. In 2019, scientists warned using cell phone at meal times can cause an enlarged waist circumference. The team hypothesized that cell phone use causes excess calories by preventing the brain from recording how much food is digested.
This disorder, the researchers said, caused women and men to consume 15 percent more calories than recommended. What’s more, the team observed a higher tendency to eat fatty foods among the volunteers who used mobile phones.
Dr. Elisabeth Philipps of health and wellness brand Fourfive, says, “It’s not just what you eat but how you eat that matters. Eat while sitting and avoid using your phone at the same time.”
The study was conducted on a sample of 62 volunteers, aged 18-28, who were filmed eating alone. Participants were asked to choose from a selection of foods, including healthy and unhealthy products, until they were full. The study was split into three trials, in which volunteers were recorded eating uninterruptedly, reading magazines, or using cell phones.
The findings later revealed that without distraction from the device, the participants ate an average of 535 calories compared to 591 while using it. The health disadvantages of cell phone use have been explored in previous work with substantial evidence suggesting the use of gawai excess as the cause of the impetus for sedentary behavior.
However, there are many other causes for weight gain, and some are less noticeable than others. Healthy bacteria in the gut, for example, can prevent further complications associated with weight gain.
In fact, research by King’s College London in 2019 found gut microbiota can influence belly fat mass regardless of food intake. Philipps explains that adherence to certain rules during meal times can also benefit gut health.
“Make sure to chew food thoroughly, taking at least 15 minutes to eat. Manage stress, such as tense conversations, work or reading the news, especially while eating. Stress reduces digestive juices in the intestines and also reduces blood flow in the intestines which makes digestion difficult, leading to symptoms such as bloating and choking.
Read also: Steps to take to prevent children from being addicted to gadgets
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