The Claim: Calories From Alcohol Go to Your Midsection - NYT

The phenomenon is known by many names — spare tire, beer belly, beer gut. But do calories from alcohol congregate at the midsection at a greater rate than others? That is not so clear.

In general, drinking causes weight gain primarily because alcohol slows the body’s ability to burn fat for energy, not to mention that it increases appetite. The effects of alcohol on the midsection are complicated, but studies show pretty clearly that beer, wine and spirits have a greater effect on belly fat in adults who drink sporadically than in people who drink regularly but in small amounts....