Why Some Men Develop Beer Bellies

June 11, 2002 -- It seems that everyone is focused on women's bodies, but when Good Morning America asked women what they really thought about men's bodies, they had plenty to say.

"Eeewww" and "Yuck," were among the responses, when ABCNEWS' Lara Spencer asked women what they thought of beer bellies. In her informal poll, 76 percent of women said that the worst place for a man to be fat is his belly. "Stomach! Sides, belly!" is the worst place for a man to be fat, said one rollerblader. Another 10 percent of women hated love handles the most.

"I think it's gross when it oozes over the pants and they don't wear a shirt," one pregnant woman said. "Why do they do that?"

A full 9 percent of women even said that obesity should be allowable grounds for divorce. But in truth, scale-conscious women have reason to be jealous. Forty-eight percent of men say that they are not self-conscious about their weight.

Men's Health magazine has partnered with GMA as it challenges America's overweight men to lose a million pounds in the next six months. (Go to www.mhmillion.com to sign up). As part of the series, GMA met three 20-something men to determine which of them is the most likely to develop a beer belly. Each appears fit, and exercises regularly, but one will have to worry more than the others about his expanding waistline. Matt Henzi of Seattle is 25 years old. He is 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighs 170 pounds, and has a 32-inch waist. Henzi works as a mountain guide and snowboard instructor, and he has a love of extreme sports. He drinks a case and a half of beer a week. His dad is fit. Since he stays in shape year round, Henzi says he does not think he will get a beer belly.

Charles Okoye, of New York City is a 23-year-old research analyst. He stands 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs 160 pounds and has a 32-inch waist. He works hard during the week, and parties hard on weekends, usually drinking eight cocktails and 12 beers per week. He has no family history of obesity. Since he is naturally thin, Okoye says he does not think he will get a beer belly.

Matt Beckman, of Duluth, Minn. is 25. He is 5 feet 8inches tall, weighs 180 lbs and has a 34-inch waist. He is a marketing co-coordinator who exercises regularly, eats a low-fat diet and only drinks light beer. His dad has a beer belly. Since he stays in shape, exercises and drinks light beer, Beckman thinks he will not develop a beer belly.

To help determine who was most likely to deal with an expanding waistline, ABCNEWS' Dr. Nancy Snyderman asked each of the men some lifestyle questions and scored them on each.

Question 1: Calories

The average man should consume no more than 2,900 calories a day. Those who consume less than that can give themselves a score of 0. If you consume more than 2,900, you should score 2 points. (Henzi scored plus 2, while Okoye and Beckman both scored zero.)

Question 2: Alcohol

One 12-ounce beer contains 150 calories, while 5 ounces of wine equals 100 calories. If you have more than two drinks a day, add 3 points. One or two drinks a day add 1 point; no drinks add zero. (Henzi scored plus 3, Okoye scored plus 3, and Beckman scored plus one.)

Question 3: Regular Exercise

If you exercise regularly, three or four times a week, it decreases body fat. If you exercise more often than that, score minus 1 point. If you exercise one to four times a week, score zero. If you do not exercise score 1 point. (Henzi scored minus 1, Okoye scored zero, and Beckman scored minus 1.)

Question Four: Stress

High stress levels contribute to abdominal fat. Is stress likely to make you eat, or make you exercise. If it's exercise, score minus 2 points. If your answer is eat, score plus 2. If it's both score zero. (Henzi scored 0, Okoye scored minus 2, and Beckman scored zero)

Question Five: Your Body Mass Index (BMI)

The BMI looks at your weight and height, and tells if you are overweight in relation to your body type. If you are overweight, score plus 1. If not, then score minus 1. (Henzi scored minus one, Okoye scored minus 1, and Beckman scored plus 1)

Question Six: Heredity

Heredity greatly influences you body type. If your father is thin, score minus 1. If he is average, score zero. If he is overweight, score plus 2. (Henzi scored minus 1, Okoye scored 0, and Beckman scored plus 2)

The final scores were Henzi, 2, Okoye, 0, and Beckman 3. That means Beckman is most likely to get a beer belly. Though many of his habits are good, heredity plays a large role in determining whether a person will become overweight.

"Heredity is a very important factor, but he can beat the odds," Snyderman said. "He needs to work harder than the next guy."

Check your own body mass index: BMI Calculator.