How Genetics Can Help or Hurt your Stomach

Chances are, you know someone who is able to eat anything they want, exercises rarely or not at all, and yet still manages to maintain low levels of body fat and a trim, taut tummy. And then there are those of us who work out regularly, religiously watch our calorie and fat intake, and still struggle with that lingering “spare tire” of belly fat that stubbornly clings to our midsections. As maddening as it may be, it’s a proven fact that certain people are biologically predisposed to have faster metabolisms and more efficient fat-burning capabilities, both of which result in the seemingly effortless realization of flat abdominals.

Each of our bodies is genetically configured to store fat in its own unique way. You’ve probably heard someone complain about being cursed with her “mother’s thighs” or his “father’s pot belly”. Although such comments may be made teasingly, there’s actually some truth to such claims. The places on your body where fat accumulates are largely determined by the makeup of your DNA. If your mother struggled with cellulite or flabby arms, chances are you may have problems in those same areas. On the flip side, if your father enjoyed a speedy metabolism and a trim physique, you may reap some of those same benefits as you approach his age. Heredity can even reliably predict what your body weight will be at a certain point in your life.

It’s true that if you’re genetically predisposed to have excess belly fat, it may be harder for you to obtain the six-pack you’ve been working so hard to obtain –- but it is possible to break through those hereditary barriers. With a dedicated exercise regimen, sensible dietary habits, and targeted abdominal workouts, you’ll eventually see results, although it may take a little more time and patience.

It’s important to note that gender will also have an impact on your ability to obtain flat abs. Men and women store belly fat in very different ways -- women as subcutaneous fat below the surface of their skin, and men as visceral fat in the deeper layers of their abdomens. As a general rule, visceral fat is easier to lose through diet and exercise than subcutaneous fat. Due to their childbearing capabilities, women are genetically inclined to have fat deposits in their stomach area, intended to serve as a cushion for a baby in utero. Men have an easier time obtaining six-pack abs, although as they age, their testosterone levels decrease, resulting in a reduction of stomach muscle and more storage of fat in the midsection area.

Age is another genetic factor that can hinder your efforts at a sculpted stomach. As we get older, our body fat (especially the harder-to-lose subcutaneous fat) increases while our lean muscle mass decreases, both of which result in a slower metabolism and a tendency to store more fat around our midsections.

Whether you’re fighting hereditary fat deposits, the characteristics of your gender, or the impacts of aging, it can sometimes feel like your attempt to achieve sculpted abs is a losing battle. But if you exercise perseverance and discipline, all the hard work will eventually pay off, even if it takes a little more exertion than it might for someone with a different genetic composition.

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