Doctor issues 'vicious cycle' warning over dad bod trend

A doctor has warned against the dangers of men adopting the 'dad bod'. The dad bod refers to men who have gradually put on weight, often after they enter fatherhood. One survey, by

Planet Fitness, found that seven out of 10 women found the dad bod attractive. But Dr Mark Hyman, a respected doctor and health expert, has taken to Instagram to warn of the dangers of the

dad bod. He said that it was actually a way of your body 'asking for support'. He said the extra fat could lead to problems with hormones, metabolism, energy levels, and even sperm

quality. He said: "The “Dad Bod” is not just a harmless trend, it’s often a sign of something deeper. "It is more than a trend - it's your body's way of asking for

support. That extra belly fat and low energy can point to hormonal imbalances, insulin resistance, and declining testosterone, all of which can affect your overall health and fertility.

"Visceral fat around your belly actively disrupts hormones, raising estrogen and suppressing testosterone. Combined with insulin resistance, this creates a cycle that impacts your

metabolism, energy levels, and even sperm quality. "By making intentional changes to your diet, exercise routine, and lifestyle, you can regain balance, boost testosterone naturally,

and improve your overall health." >  While some see the dad bod as being strong, stable and relatable, others see it as a sign of unhealthiness - and there is some evidence to back

this up. Extra abdominal fat is the hallmark of a dad bod, but it can be an indication of a higher risk for some health concerns. And if there is too much fat around the abdomen, there is

likely to be more of it in other parts of the body too. "A chiselled body doesn’t have to be the goal,” said family medicine physician David Brill. “But there’s a sweet spot to be

found. You don’t have to be ripped to be healthy. Very rarely will I find somebody who has a lot of belly fat but no fat on their arms and legs,” “Left unchecked, a dad bod can lead to the

three horsemen of the apocalypse: high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar. They all start with excess body fat." That can lead to issues such as heart attack, stroke,

diabetes, kidney disease and liver disease. One 2008 study of more than 360,000 people found that belly fat doubles your risk of an early death. To solve it, Dr Hyman recommends eating

whole foods rich in vegetables, healthy fats and lean proteins, while also cutting down on sugar, ultra-processed foods and alcohol. He also backs intermittent fasting and more exercise -

particularly high-intensity training and strength workouts.