Doctors say having belly fat can lead to serious health issues – and there are several ways to reduce it.

Belly fat not only grows outward, but internally and wraps itself around vital organs, which can trigger inflammation. It can increase a person's risk of developing chronic diseases including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and cancer.

Doctors say the No. 1 way to reduce belly fat is to exercise more than 30 minutes a day.

Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic, suggests people use a standing or walking desk, take breaks for walks, squat at their desks, use the stairs and park further away.

Other advice includes:

Dr. Katie Takayasu says studies have shown that when the stress hormone cortisol floods a person's body, their appetite increases and their body stores fat around their midsection. Takayasu recommends people take part in a creative project to keep their minds from racing.

"We all know what it's like to take a cortisol bath, it just feels like you've been bathed in stress hormones and everything feels extremely overwhelming," she says.