Stop bragging about your beer gut. When it comes to heart health, belly fat is more dangerous than obesity, recent study results suggest.

The outcome reinforces a growing belief that "visceral fat, or fat around the organs of the abdomen, is particularly bad for health," according to an article posted on MyHealthNewsDaily.

Which begs an interesting question: Would you say something if your favorite loved one's belly got, um, a little too jolly?

Some relationships thrive on the "tough love" approach. I know some couples who'd sustain their romantic bond even if one person turned to the other and blatantly said, "You're fat."

But I think most couples shy away from critiquing each other's appearances -- justifiably. Leave it to the rest of the world to judge us. Your significant other is supposed to love you no matter what.

Then again, loving you also means helping you become the best person possible. Excessive belly fat and obesity are more than just aesthetic concerns -- they're serious health issues.

Want your partner to lose weight? It's best to approach it as a team effort -- avoid the "do as I say, not as I do" approach. It's not your role to judge, but simple changes to the dates you share and the meals you choose can make a big difference.