“I Mean…What?!?” – Abe Gurko

Guy Trebay wrote an interesting article in The New York Times Style (?) section yesterday. The essence of the story is that men with bellies are on trend, sporting “the Ralph Kramden”. Though it’s called It’s Hip To Be Round, I think the better title is Belly Up. He explores several reasons why this might be the case, and as much as I enjoyed the article because the topic is top of mind (I have been belly conscious my entire life), what he doesn’t address are the critical health issues related to having a belly. As a fat kid, I finally went on a diet in my junior year of high school and lost 60 pounds and made a vow to keep it off. Since heart disease runs in my family, I spent my entire adult life not wanting to replicate my dad’s Ralph Kramden. He died at 50 years old and his dad, at 55. If you think I want to maintain that lineage…think again. I have been on every diet known to man and woman-kind, been a speed freak (granted not a healthy option but Black Beauties were amazing in the 1970’s). I’ve been working out since the early 80’s, (it was just me and a bunch of muscle heads), a bike rider as well, and always think twice before I eat. Granted, I eat whatever I want or else why the hell am I on this planet, making my motto: “I workout to eat.”

In the article, Guy inteviews Dan Peres from Details magazine, who practically blames Barack Obama for this “fatty callaty” trend which is so ridiculous. As I see it,  it’s the Obama Administration inserting themselves into any conversation related to health-care. Only in this case, it backfired. Imagine if these blubber-heads were actually rebelling against Obama because he is trim and smart.  Are they fat AND stupid? No one feels good about having to lose weight. Except maybe King Henry VIII. Guy also talks to his fitness trainer, who is keen to say how lean muscle mass and bulging biceps are sooo two seasons ago. Bet my trainer can kick Guy’s trainer’s ass…lickety split.

Here’s what the Mayo Clinic has to say about man-belly.

Why is belly fat a concern for men?

People who gain belly fat are at greater risk of serious health problems than are people who accumulate fat in other areas — and men are more likely than women to gain weight around the waist. Having a large amount of belly fat increases your risk of:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Some types of cancer
• Type 2 diabetes
• Insulin resistance
• High triglycerides
• Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol
• Metabolic syndrome
• Sleep apnea

Now granted, you’d have to be living under a rock or inside a vat of Haagen-Dazs ice cream not to know that bit of info, however, the point is: Belly fat no esta bien…or fierce…period.