Quick Weight Loss Tips

What Are The Health Risks Of Being Overweight?

While most people are inclined to lose weight to look and feel better, many people are instructed
by their doctors to lose weight because they are at risk for developing a disease. Or may already
have developed a disease and their doctor wants to stop the progression of the overweight related
disease and perhaps even cure it. Extra weight can put you at higher risk for:

1.    type 2 diabetes (high blood sugar)
2.    high blood pressure
3.    heart disease and stroke
4.    some types of cancer
5.    sleep apnea (when breathing stops for short periods during sleep)
6.    osteoarthritis (wearing away of the joints)
7.    gallbladder disease
8.    irregular periods
9.    problems with pregnancy such as high blood pressure or increased risk for  cesarean section (c-section)

So, Are You Overweight (Over-Fat)?

Overweight refers to an excess of body weight, but not necessarily body fat. Obesity means an
excessively high proportion of body fat. Health professionals use a measurement called body
mass index (BMI) to classify an adult's weight as healthy, overweight, or obese. BMI describes
body weight relative to height and is correlated with total body fat content in most adults. But an
easy way to determine if you are over-fat is to see how much body fat you have by pinching your
skin fold. If you can pinch more than an inch of abdominal body fat, chances are you have too
much body fat, and need to lose some. Also note that for people who are athletic with more
muscle, especially people who lift weights (resistance training), the BMI will probably
overestimate your level of fatness. It is best to get your body fat determined by a training
individual for best results.  

To get your approximate BMI, multiply your weight in pounds by 703, then divide the result by
your height in inches, and divide that result by your height in inches a second time. A BMI from
18.5 up to 25 is considered in the healthy range, from 25 up to 30 is overweight, and 30 or higher

is obese. Generally, the higher a person's BMI, the greater the risk for health problems, according
to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). However, there are some exceptions.
For example, very muscular people, like body builders, may have a BMI greater than 25 or even
30, but this reflects increased muscle rather than fat. It is excess body fat that leads to the health
problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

In addition to a high BMI, having excess abdominal body fat is a health risk. Men with a waist of
more than 40 inches around and women with a waist of 35 inches or more are at risk for health
problems.

Healthy Weight: BMI from 18.5 up to 25 refers to healthy weight.
Overweight: BMI from 25 up to 30 refers to overweight.
Obese: BMI 30 or higher refers to obesity. Obese persons are also overweight.