Belly fat is more than a nuisance that makes your clothes feel tight. It’s seriously harmful. One type of belly fat — referred to as visceral fat — is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions ( 1 Trusted Source ). Many health organizations use body mass index (BMI) to classify weight and predict the risk of metabolic disease. However, this is misleading, as people with excess belly fat are at an increased risk even if they look thin ( 2 Trusted Source ). Though losing fat from this area can be difficult, there are several things you can do to reduce excess abdominal fat. Here are 19 effective tips to lose belly fat, backed by scientific studies. 1. Avoid foods that contain trans fats Trans fats are created by pumping hydrogen into unsaturated fats, such as soybean oil. They’re found in some margarines and spreads and also often added to packaged foods, but many food producers have stopped using them. These fats have been linked to inflammation,...