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It's no secret that the rates of overweight and obese individuals are climbing across the United States. Today, many people have increasingly more sedentary lifestyles than they did even 20 years ago. Sedentary living, when combined with unhealthy eating habits, creates the perfect storm for weight gain.

There's much more to gaining weight beyond aesthetic changes, however. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even various forms of cancer are each risks that have been credibly correlated to overweight and obese individuals.

Many sources also report the more someone gains weight, the harder it may become for them to lose it or keep the weight off permanently. A recent study that broke just this week states arm and belly fat, in particular, share ties to a series of neurodegenerative diseases.

Arm and belly fat are no joke

Once a person begins gaining weight, the fat usually starts accumulating in their lower abdominal areas. From there, it moves upward, leading to bellies, chests, and arms that are notably chubby.

The study tying belly and arm fat to neurodegenerative illnesses tracked 412,961 people from 40 to 70 over a period of about nine years.

During this term, folks with considerable belly fat saw a 13% higher probability of suffering from Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and dementia. People with lots of arm fat, on the other hand, became 18% more likely to come down with these illnesses.

Muscle strength, it turns out, is one of the greatest defenses against neurodegenerative diseases. Among the 412,961 individuals reviewed for this study, those with muscle strength saw their risk of experiencing the aforementioned illnesses decrease by 25%.

Avoiding or decreasing arm and belly fat

Walking, running, weight lifting, and aerobics can each go a long way toward removing or keeping fat away from your arms and belly. Generally, each person should get at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise per week, if humanly possible. Eggs, lean proteins, vegetables, and fruits also support weight loss.

Fat that's already accumulated around the arms, belly, or other body parts will take some time to go away. However, with consistent exercise and a nutritious diet, you'll be several steps closer to a better and healthier you.