Gynaecologist counsels Nigerians on dangers of fat belly

Largely, most Nigerians regard men who have protruding bellies as being sign of good living.

But on the contrary, a Gynaecologist, Dr Fred Achem, has  advised Nigerians to be well informed on how to reduce belly fats to avoid health risk associated with it.

Achem, who works with the Feropod Hospital, Abuja said that too much intake of fats, carbohydrates and animal protein would reduce the functions of the vital organs in the body.

The gynaecologist said that belly fats crop up due to accumulation of fats in the abdominal region of the body, thereby causing discomfort for the person involved.

``The concept of being big in Nigeria is a signature to arrival, this is a misnomer, and people have to keep their weight as low as possible.

``Even, when the cheeks become chubby, it is an evidence of wrong living, this is just a full deposit of fats.

``The serious matter is that you are loading your brain, the heart, liver and other vital organs with fats, thereby blocking the required blood flows and needed oxygen from flowing,’’ Achem said.

He said that men usually develop fats in the tummy, the neck, thighs, with exceptional cases in the backside.

Achem said most men develop belly fats as result of excessive intake of alcohol, saying that genetically, men were more prone to coronary disease than women.

He said that due to lack of information, most Nigerians eat anyhow, not minding the content and health risk associated with it.

``In women, belly fats could be as a result of pregnancy and breastfeeding,’’ he said.

Achem said a lot of breastfeeding women open up their appetites to consume whatever they feel like eating, adding that it was ideal for mothers to return to their original.

He advised nursing mothers to eat good vegetables, fruits, little bit of animal protein, lot of plant protein and a bit of dairy foods.

Achem said that eating appropriate food was needed for a mother to make enough breast milk for the baby, and not carbohydrates and fats.

He advised women to avoid taking ripe fruits, saying that they contained glucose which could easily be converted to fats.

``It is the consciousness of what you really need that will put you on a strong footing for your health and the babies.

``One has to be very careful when eating because it is a balanced diet that matters after all, and by exercising daily to reduce portion of food,” Achem said