Carrying a lot of stomach fat is not merely a vanity issue, it can also be a serious health concern. The fat that so many people have bulging over their belt buckles is actually not the main problem. The real issue is what lies beneath the surface in what is know as visceral fat. It's the fat that accumulates between the organs and is linked to heart disease and type-2 diabetes.

By working to reduce abdominal fat you can also reduce visceral fat and thus reduce your risk of serious health problems. Although abdominal fat cannot be targeted directly, there are actually some pretty simple ways to reduce overall body fat.

Ditch the sugar: The main problem with consuming sugar is that it enters the bloodstream very quickly. This raises blood glucose levels which the body has to regulate using the hormone insulin. When a lot of sugar is eaten this spikes blood glucose levels leaving an excess that the body stores as fat. What's more, there is research supporting the idea that consuming refined carbohydrates like sugar contributes to visceral fat build-up.