Everyone knows that being overweight can increase our risk of serious health problems. However, most people don’t realize that not all fat distribution is equal. Accumulating fat under our arms and thighs, for instance, is more of a cosmetic concern than a cause for significant medical alarm. Yes, we are better off without it and should endeavor to remove it, but fat in these areas is more likely to make us feel bloated rather than send us to the emergency room in the immediate future. In reality, the most serious problems associated with being overweight, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, are overwhelmingly caused by a build-up of abdominal fat. Abdominal fat, which is also called belly fat or visceral fat, is the fat that lodges itself against our major organs and compromises their ability to function properly — a state of affairs which, if left unchecked, can lead to an early death. Fortunately, the following lifestyle changes are known to help remove ab