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What is a Spare Tire?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

One of the ways men and women differ is in the accumulation and storage of body fat. Women tend to store fat in their hips, thighs and buttocks, while men tend to accumulate fat around their waists and abdomens. This abdominal form of excess body fat is often called a "spare tire," or sometimes "middle age spread." Some have even created a fictitious condition called "Dunlap's disease", in which the sufferer's stomach "done lapped" over his belt. While the development of a spare tire may appear to be a natural part of the aging process, excessive abdominal fat in men can contribute to a number of serious health problems.

There are actually two kinds of fat involved in the spare tire process. Some body fat is stored just under the abdominal skin and is called subcutaneous fat. This subcutaneous fat is responsible for most of the abdominal distension associated with this condition. If a man elects to undergo liposuction to reduce a spare tire, the surgeon can only remove subcutaneous fat cells. The problem is that these fat deposits can and will grow back in time.

There are two kinds of fat involved in the spare tire process.
There are two kinds of fat involved in the spare tire process.

It is the other type of fat which can make a spare tire form of fat storage dangerous. Fat cells also form between and around abdominal organs such as the kidney, liver and spleen. This form of fat is called visceral fat, and it cannot be removed through liposuction. Visceral fat is not generally created through a high fat diet or lack of regular exercise. Visceral fat is often created as a reaction to long-term stress, which triggers an overabundance of natural chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline. These chemicals trigger the body's own development of visceral fat in the abdomen, and the result is a distended stomach region.

Spare tires are also sometimes called beer guts.
Spare tires are also sometimes called beer guts.

Those men who carry around a spare tire of fat around their waists or abdomens also face a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The excess fat cells are believed to overstimulate the production of insulin by the pancreas. If too much insulin is produced over time, the blood becomes resistant to the insulin's effects on blood sugar levels. Once the body becomes completely resistant to natural insulin, type 2 or adult onset diabetes can develop. This is why physicians often urge men to take whatever steps are necessary to reduce the size of the abdomen.

Jogging can help get rid of a spare tire.
Jogging can help get rid of a spare tire.

There is also medical evidence which suggests men with significant abdominal fat are more likely to develop heart conditions later in life. One theory is that the spare tire adds enough body weight to put serious stress on the heart during normal activities. The liver and other organs may not produce as many heart-friendly chemicals and enzymes if they have been compromised by visceral fat. If the liver cannot process the additional cholesterol create by a poor diet, then the heart may not be able to repair itself in time to prevent strokes or heart attacks.

Abdominal exercises are great for reducing a spare tire.
Abdominal exercises are great for reducing a spare tire.

Many fitness experts say that a spare tire cannot be permanently reduced through isolated abdominal or core exercises alone. Visceral fat can only be successfully addressed through stress reduction techniques and at least 30 minutes of dynamic movement (walking, jogging, cycling, etc.) per day. Fat-restrictive diets may help reduce some of the subcutaneous fat, but exercises such as crunches or sit-ups are designed to strengthen abdominal muscles, not to remove fat cells from the body. Most men and women actually have the structure for "six pack abs," but the excessive accumulation of fat keeps them from becoming noticed by others.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular TheHealthBoard contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular TheHealthBoard contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

GiraffeEars

@ ValleyFiah & GlassAxe- The best way to lose the belly fat is actually through a combination of diet, vigorous cardiovascular exercise, and heavy weight training. A study published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise metabolism compared the age-old diet and cardiovascular exercise regimen against a combination program and the results were clearly in the favor of the later.

According to the study, subjects who exercised six days a week, splitting their time between heavy cardio workouts and moderate to heavy weight training lost more than double the total fat, and almost double the abdominal fat of the subjects on the low protein mostly cardio routine. The second group also gained two pounds of muscle in the 12 week trials while the other group actually lost muscle mass. All of the measurements were taken with sophisticated DEXA machines rather than the inaccurate fat calipers. This is not the first study of its kind, but if you want to lose weight faster, than you should eat a little more lean protein, less carbohydrates, plenty of vegetables and fiber, and mix up your workouts into alternating total body cardio and strength training routines.

GlassAxe

@ ValleyFiah- I was always told lots of cardiovascular exercise and a healthy diet will leave you in good shape. I am fairly fit, and this is all I do. I eat lots of fresh vegetables, fruits with breakfast, lots of fiber, and a good multivitamin. I also limit my protein intake so that it only accounts for about 20-30% of my diet. I ride my bike or jog about five days a week, and do the occasional weight lifting.

ValleyFiah

What a great article. I have a "spare tire" that I have been trying to get rid of for a while. I do sit-ups most mornings, but it does not do much to lose that stubborn pudge. I am in decent shape, but it will not go away. I never realized that there were actually two types of fat involved, and that stress was such an important factor in reducing this visceral fat. What are some good techniques to reduce stress, and get rid of this visceral fat around my midsection? I am getting married in about a year, and it is a beach wedding. I want to look my best for the week that I will be spending on the beach with my wife to be.

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    • There are two kinds of fat involved in the spare tire process.
      By: VRD
      There are two kinds of fat involved in the spare tire process.
    • Spare tires are also sometimes called beer guts.
      By: olegmalyshev
      Spare tires are also sometimes called beer guts.
    • Jogging can help get rid of a spare tire.
      By: Deklofenak
      Jogging can help get rid of a spare tire.
    • Abdominal exercises are great for reducing a spare tire.
      By: michaeljung
      Abdominal exercises are great for reducing a spare tire.
    • Abdominal and oblique muscles can be strengthened by crunches and sit-ups, but usually fat can only be reduced through diet and cardiovascular exercise.
      By: theartofphoto
      Abdominal and oblique muscles can be strengthened by crunches and sit-ups, but usually fat can only be reduced through diet and cardiovascular exercise.
    • Most people associate the term "spare tire" with subcutaneous fat.
      By: Barabas Attila
      Most people associate the term "spare tire" with subcutaneous fat.
    • Reverse crunches help work the lower abdominal muscles of the stomach.
      By: Shakzu
      Reverse crunches help work the lower abdominal muscles of the stomach.