For individuals trying to lose weight, the stomach is one of the most common problem areas. Fat in the abdominal region is often the most stubborn, but part of slimming down your torso is figuring out what caused the bulk in the first place. If you are having trouble pinpointing the cause of your spare tire, love handles or pouch, here are a few possibilities to consider.

Is booze to blame?
Sorry beer enthusiasts and wine connoisseurs - booze is often the biggest culprit for that excess bulge around the middle. James Duigan, a personal trainer and "body guru" for many celebrities, told the Daily Mail that to slim down the stomach, cutting back on alcohol is a good move.

"Alcohol is a fat bomb for the tummy - pure sugar which goes straight to your waist and stops you burning all other fat until the booze has been processed," Duigan told the news outlet. "Just a few glasses three to four times a week will lead to a "wine waist" - a thick midriff and podgy tummy. If you want to drink occasionally that's fine, but the bottom line is that you have to cut back on booze to get a flat belly."

A natural part of aging
The Mayo Clinic explains that the aging process can also lead to an increase in belly fat. As we grow older, we lose muscles if we don't exercise frequently, which in turn causes the body to burn fewer calories. Essentially, this means that even if you're taking in the same number of calories you did when you were younger, you'll still gain weight faster around your midsection as you age.

Plastic surgery can help
If you're not a big boozer, watch what you eat and exercise regularly but still find you have some extra weight around your midsection, plastic surgery may be an option. Liposuction is a procedure that's specifically intended for individuals who have stubborn pockets of fat, whether they are located in the thighs, buttocks or that pesky stomach region. However, it does not remove the visceral fat that surrounds your organs and causes major health problems, so maintaining a healthy lifestyle is extremely important.

Sagging skin around the stomach area that's a result of weight loss, pregnancy or aging can be corrected with a tummy tuck.