According to the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, excess fat and weight on the abdomen causes individuals to exhale less after inhaling at full capacity. This results in irregular lung function and possible shortness of breath.

Excess fat within the body, causing abnormal waist circumferences above the 35 to 40-inch range, requires the heart to work harder during exercise. Therefore, someone who is overweight may experience erratic breathing during and after exercise. Poor breathing patterns are exhausting and can deter someone trying to lose weight from consistent workouts. In serious cases—restricting blood from being pumped throughout the body and therefore slowing oxygen flow—the body can completely shut down and require emergency oxygen rescue.