Everywhere we look in the western world we are inundated with pictures, images, icons and inferences of the 'perfect' female shape! The truth is that many of these images are altered or enhanced in some way and do not depict the typical female form. The pressure to lose weight is immense when we are bombarded every day with media selling products based on slimness, sex appeal and fashion. The constant message is that slimness will make you desireable.
With the current demographic trends in western countries, and faced with a sea of high fat, high sugar combined with physical inactivity; it is time to pay attention to our weight but not for any reasons of desirability. The most important reason for wanting to be a healthy body weight is for health rather than for how your body looks.
Overweight and obesity are major public health problems in western countries. Since the 1980s both adult men and women have become heavier, with obesity rates more than doubling in the last 20 years! Children are also becoming heavier. There is a growing concern that we are inadvertently training our overweight children to become obese adults. It has been said, we are digging our graves with out teeth! So just why should we be concerned with achieving a healthy body weight?
Overweight linked with diabetes.
In January 2003, the Journal of the American Medical Association featured two studies that highlighted the topic of obesity and its impact on health. The first study focused on the relationship between obesity and diabetes, as well as the growing concern of diabetes in the U.S. between the years 2000 and 2001. The numbers don't look good, with an alarming 5.6% increase of obesity in both men and women-from all ethnic groups, age ranges and educational levels. The occurrence of diabetes also increased-up 8.2% from 2000.
Overweight linked with premature death.
The second study found that obesity appears to markedly lessen life expectancy, especially among young adults. The researchers compared Body-Mass Index (BMI) to longevity and found a correlation between premature death and higher BMIs. For example, a 20-year-old white male, 5'10" weighing 288 pounds with a BMI of greater than 40 was estimated to lose 13 years of his life as a result of obesity. Findings were similar for women with higher BMIs, who were estimated to lose an average of eight years. While these studies reference extreme levels of obesity, there are still millions of overweight people in developed countries with a life expectancy rate that is three to five years less than their healthy-weight counterparts.
Overweight linked with heart disease.
Overweight people tend to have higher blood pressure and higher blood cholesterol, which are major risk factors for heart attack and other blood vessel disease. Being overweight can contribute to problems in the joints, and is also associated with other serious diseases such as diabetes.
How you tell if you are overweight
As we are all different shapes and sizes, there is not one recommended weight for your height. Instead there is a range of weights that are healthy for your height. One way to check your weight is to calculate your Body Mass Index or BMI.
Your BMI is a ratio or comparison of your height and weight expressed in a number. To find out your BMI you need to divide your weight (measured in kg) by your height (measured in m) squared. If you do not know your measurements in the metric system you can find any number of BMI calculators online that will do the conversion for you into empirical measures. One such calculator is at the website listed below.
The accepted definitions of weight categories by BMI are:
Underweight - BMI less than 18.5
Healthy weight - BMI between 18.5 and 24.9
Overweight - BMI equal to or greater than 25 and up to 29.9
Obese - BMI equal to or greater than 30
These BMI values only apply to adults aged 18 years and over and are based on studies of Caucasian populations. Therefore, they are not applicable to children and adolescents and they may not be appropriate for people of other cultural backgrounds.
Another way to check your weight is to measure your waist circumference, using a tape measure. This gives you an idea of whether you have a lot of fat stored around your middle. Waist circumferences associated with increased health risk are:
For men - Waist circumference greater than 94cm
For women - Waist circumference greater than 80cm
Being a healthy weight can help:
If you are obese or overweight?try not to gain additional weight. This will help you in years to come as people tend to increase weight with age. Better still look after your body and follow a healthy lifestyle incorporating a nutritious, delicious, health enhancing weight loss program. Just by losing 10 pounds you can significantly improve your overall health.
(c) Copyright Kim Beardsmore
About The Author
Kim is successful a weight loss coach who will cut through the diet-hype, reach your goal weight and never 'diet' again. No public 'weigh-ins', meetings that cost you money or fads...simply results you'll love. You can receive a free, no obligation consultation today. http://tinyurl.com/5c9cw. Are you interested in a fantastic home business? Visit: http://tinyurl.com/5c9cw.
elite cleaning services Mundelein ..1. Drink plenty of water. Our body needs a lot... Read More
Chances are if you've stepped foot in a gym or... Read More
Obesity is a disease that is not caused by a... Read More
A "normal-tummy" looks at the food pyramid from the bottom... Read More
Well, look at you go! You keep moving closer and... Read More
Hold the onions! Let's talk "liver". No, not beef liver,... Read More
"The kind of thoughts that you plant in your mind,... Read More
Fat Loss in GeneralThis morning I conducted a search engine... Read More
Diet Pills are the fastest growing segment of the dietary... Read More
I believe that water not only helps with weight loss,... Read More
The purpose of this article is not to scrutinize, vilify,... Read More
There are tons of fad diets and weight loss schemes... Read More
If you knew when you were going to die, would... Read More
The Psychology of Weight Loss ? Your Approach!We have missed... Read More
Weight loss is so consistent and rapid after gastric bypass... Read More
Some Say I'm Strange. I Prefer to Think of Myself... Read More
With the number of people suffering from obesity rising so... Read More
Hoodia Gordonii a cactus plant found thousands of miles away... Read More
You are probably familiar with the weight loss connection with... Read More
1. Include in your diet things that contain more water... Read More
I'm sure you have pondered this question, for it is... Read More
Dieting and Exercising ? Results all the time!To be successful... Read More
Why has Phentermine stopped helping me lose weight?Many people are... Read More
To continue the educational series on your health and fitness... Read More
If you're thinking of going on a diet to lose... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Mundelein ..1. CUT THE SIMPLE CARBS.It's unfortunate that the majority of... Read More
I just read this conventional diet tip ? and we've... Read More
We have such good weight loss intentions. We emotionally beat... Read More
Actually, I was reading about fad diet and suddenly I... Read More
Losing weight doesn't have to be boring when you focus... Read More
If you're on a weight loss program you're under constant... Read More
The overweight and obesity epidemic is a worldwide problem. There... Read More
Have you ever wondered how actors stay in such great... Read More
Cellulite is a recent addition to the English language. In... Read More
Whether coming from a close friend, the nightly news or... Read More
I had lost nearly fifty pounds before anyone mentioned my... Read More
Temporary weight loss is easy!You simply starve yourself on the... Read More
Diners have become more health-conscious the last few years, and... Read More
It's common to respond to stress by distracting yourself with... Read More
I have tried many "diets" here in the USA and... Read More
Weight Loss tipsAll throughout my childhood and teenage years I... Read More
Yes, my healthy diet has at times suffered at the... Read More
Today, Ephedra is an herb of controversy. It contains ephedrine,... Read More
Each month I receive hundreds of e-mails from consumers who... Read More
Why have I allowed myself to get into this shape?... Read More
If you're taking a fiber supplement or eating a high... Read More
The difference between weight loss, and steady or weight gain,... Read More
Whole grains and weight loss have a definite, scientific, and... Read More
This little known secret has been used by bodybuilders for... Read More
You are probably familiar with the weight loss connection with... Read More
Weight Loss |