Recent beach photos of actor Leonardo DiCaprio, 51, have reignited debate about the so called dad bod. The popular term generally describes a softer physique marked by extra weight around the middle.

The discussion is not simply about appearance. Although appearance alone does not determine health, excess abdominal fat, particularly visceral fat surrounding internal organs, has been associated with increased risks of heart disease, diabetes and other medical conditions, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Marfred Suazo, a New York City based personal trainer known as Fonz the Trainer, spoke with Fox News Digital about the possible risks of excess abdominal fat. He also outlined nutrition and exercise strategies that can help reduce it.

Suazo has not trained DiCaprio. He defines a dad bod as a loss of physical structure accompanied by an increase in waist circumference and a decline in muscle mass.

Lifestyle changes can contribute to that shift, according to the trainer. “Maybe you're losing structure in your day-to-day eating … moving a lot less, taking fewer steps per day,” he said.

Suazo added that an imbalance between consumption and movement may become visible around the middle. “And, typically, you're eating and drinking more than you're moving. And the body just starts showcasing that stuff.”

An expanding waistline can be a meaningful indicator of possible health risk. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases states that men with a waist circumference greater than 40 inches face a higher risk of health problems, including Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Visceral fat is located deep within the abdomen and surrounds internal organs. The Cleveland Clinic has linked this type of fat to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Suazo said the goal should be to address these concerns before they develop into larger problems. “We want to try to mitigate these things as best as possible before they become an issue,” he said.

For people seeking to reverse a dad bod, Suazo recommends beginning with nutrition. That means understanding daily calorie intake and consuming an appropriate balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats.

He advises combining that nutrition strategy with strength training for the entire body two to three times each week. His recommended compound movements include squats, stiff-leg deadlifts, back rows, push-ups and chest presses.

Pull-ups are another favorite exercise for Suazo because they engage several areas of the body. “It’s a tremendous exercise that targets the stomach, the biceps and the back,” he said, adding that training larger muscle groups can help develop overall strength.

Cardiovascular exercise also belongs in a balanced routine that includes nutrition and strength work. Federal physical activity guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, along with muscle strengthening exercise on at least two days.

Abdominal exercises alone, however, will not remove belly fat from one targeted location, according to Suazo. Fat loss must occur across the body before developed abdominal muscles become more visible.

“When it comes to belly fat and any fat on the body, we can target our exercises through isolated movements, but we can only reveal it through a loss of body fat throughout the whole body,” he said.

People who improve their nutrition may begin seeing changes within several weeks, although results can vary. Diet, activity level and starting body composition are among the factors that can influence progress.

“Upon four weeks of dialing in your nutrition, you will see a tremendous change in the body,” Suazo said. He also noted that better nutrition can improve energy and confidence, potentially helping people become more consistent at the gym.

Nutritional improvements may also support sleep and recovery from exercise, according to the trainer. Suazo said combining dietary changes with an intelligent exercise routine and cardiovascular activity can create a “recipe for success.”