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What Are the Causes of a Muffin Top?

Muffin tops are never an easy sight on the eyes. All that excess fat spilling over your pants is not only unseemly, but can derail any plans to show off a new two-piece bikini at the beach. While many may believe the common culprit for muffin tops is obesity, there are other factors that come into play. These include having children, aging and stress, among other things.

  1. Social Stress

    • According to a study at the Wake Forest School of Medicine, social stress can cause the body to place more fat around the abdominal areas. Stress-induced hormones help promote visceral fat buildup and produce plaque in the blood vessels, which can cause heart disease. Eating healthy, exercising regularly and finding ways to combat stress are among the best ways to prevent or get rid of visceral fat.

    Small Jeans

    • Jeans and trousers that do not come up to the waist allow more fat to spill over the top. This is also the case for jeans that are too small. The best way to avoid this is to make sure your jeans are well-fitting and do not cause you any discomfort. Ask an employee at your local department store for help finding the right size of jeans for your body.

    Children

    • Childbirth greatly stretches the abdomen and hips, causing a flabbier stomach and increasing the chances of acquiring a muffin top. As with social stress, you can combat a pregnancy-induced muffin top by exercising and getting fitted for jeans. Take brisk, 10 to 20 minute walks with your baby in a stroller daily, which helps burn calories quickly. Feeding your baby is also useful. According to a study published by the American Dietetic Association, mothers who breastfeed lose weight faster, experiencing greater hip reductions than mothers who use bottles instead.

    Natural Shape

    • For some women, their muffin tops are a result of their body shapes. Women with pear-shaped bodies are more likely to have the condition. While you may not be able to help your natural shape, you can take steps to minimize your muffin top. Wear boot-cut jeans or jeans with a higher waistband; both will hide the extra fat. Make sure you always walk with a straight posture without hunching your shoulders.

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