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Belly fat, puffy face?: The shocking hormone making you store fat in both

Produced by: Manoj Kumar

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Firefly A woman with a visibly puffy face and bloated belly, sitting at a desk, surrounded by paperw

Stress Fat

High cortisol from chronic stress triggers fat buildup in the belly and face—a condition known as “moon face,” according to endocrinologists studying hormonal fat patterns.

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Food Trap

Processed carbs, salty snacks, and calorie overload lead to double trouble: belly bulge and facial puffiness. Nutritionists warn that sodium also triggers visible water retention.

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Hormone Chaos

From PCOS to menopause, hormonal shifts redirect fat. Experts say declining estrogen or imbalanced testosterone makes the face and belly top targets for fat storage.

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Genetic Code

Your DNA doesn’t lie. Studies show some people are biologically wired to store fat in the midsection and cheeks—no matter what workouts they do.

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Aging Curve

After 30, muscle fades and fat creeps in—even without weight gain. Researchers note that age-related changes favor storage in the belly and face.

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Still Living

Sitting too long? A sedentary life equals slow metabolism, leading to face-and-belly fat gain. Physical therapists call it the "new smoking" of fat distribution.

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Booze Bloat

Alcohol’s empty calories and metabolic disruption hit the face and gut hardest. Liver experts link frequent drinking to visible swelling and stubborn belly fat.

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Steroid Side

From Cushing’s to corticosteroids, certain meds and conditions spike cortisol—pushing fat to the face and midsection in what doctors call “central obesity.”