"Love handles" don’t look like lovely at all. They will never be. Despite having a sexy name, such condition actually poses a great threat to the health of the unsuspecting host. How to lose belly fat? Face the facts. Medical experts have agreed that belly fat is usually associated with higher risk of heart disease, hypertension, insulin resistance, and diabetes mellitus type 2. In fact, belly fat is a symptom of a metabolic syndrome and is an indicator used in the diagnosis of that disorder. Central obesity can be a feature of Lipodystrophies, a group of diseases which is either inherited or due to secondary causes. Central obesity is a symptom of Cushing’s syndrome (which may cause it). Belly fat is also common in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The main causes of this obesity are overeating and an inactive lifestyle. Hypercortisolism, noticeable to such diseases as in Cushings syndrome, also leads to central obesity.