What really causes belly fat? Expert reveals too much EXERCISE is to blame for a stubborn waist line (and poor sleep ...

Trying to get rid of stubborn belly fat is a common problem that many people try to solve by doing frantic abdominal workouts on yoga mats across the world.

But one nutrition expert has debunked the myth that endless crunches are the right way to vanquish expanding waistlines.

Nutritionist, Amelia Phillips, told the Today Show that excess stomach fat can be linked to stress hormones, diet, sleep deprivation and even overexercising with the wrong ab workouts.

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Nutritionist Amelia Phillips (pictured) says doing the wrong workouts can actually lead to belly fat

Excess stomach fat can be linked to stress hormones, diet, sleep deprivation and even overexercising with the wrong ab workouts, Amelia (pictured) warns

'Losing belly fat is far more complex than you may think. Overexercising or doing your abdominal workouts incorrectly can lead to it,' Amelia told the breakfast show.

'A lot of people waste time on the floor of the gym when you'd be much better off doing a fat burning workout which works the core in a more integrated way.'

Amelia recommends 'ditching the plain crunches' and focusing energy on cardio workouts, which help to slim your midsection and tone the whole body.

Alternative workouts such as cross training, barbell exercises, pump classes, squats or dead-lifts also activate the core.

'A lot of people waste time on the floor of the gym when you'd be much better off doing a fat burning workout which works the core in a more integrated way,' she says

Amelia recommends 'ditching the plain crunches' and focusing energy on cardio workouts for which helps to slim your midsection and tones the whole body

Alternative workouts such as cross training, barbell exercises, pump classes, squats or dead-lifts which activates the core

And stress coupled with sleep deprivation could also be the reason your stomach is still on the flabby side, Amelia says.

The nutritional specialist explains that humans possess two main types of fat: subcutaneous fat, which is superficial fat cells that we can see and pinch, and visceral fat which is more dangerous and sits around the organs.

'Visceral fat is triggered by cortisol which is the stress hormone,' Amelia adds.

Stress and sleep deprivation can trigger the cortisol hormones which layers your body with more fat (stock image)

'If you are chronically stressed then you will lay more visceral fat down, and that is the big hard belly fat that men with beer bellies get.'

Those struggling to shift extra kilos from the belly area should keep track of their diets and avoid carbohydrate-heavy meals, too.

Amelia suggests steering clear of diets high in sugar or indulging too often in carbohydrates such as pasta, bread or potatoes which are difficult foods to work off in the gym.

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