Despite regular exercise and moderate consumption of sweets, the stomach seems to keep growing. Nutritionist Hardy Walle believes that stress plays a role in the development of stubborn belly fat.
Stress and the associated persistently high cortisol levels inhibit fat loss in the abdominal area. This could cause the belly to get bigger and bigger, even in people who exercise regularly. Visceral fat has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, thrombosis, Alzheimer's disease and cancer.