Do I need to Lose Weight?

According to a report by the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion adults are overweight globally - including 300 million obese. A study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine found that the level of obesity in the United States has been considerably underestimated, possibly as much as 50 per cent. What is more, the US has the highest level of obesity in countries with high incomes. Obesity accounts for about 2.6 million deaths each year worldwide.

“Stop right where you are! – I’m not into this ‘high-tech’ info”.

Maybe not, but something tells me that most of us probably (if we dare to admit it!) do need to shed some of our “insulation”. After all, we don’t want to end up being one of the statistics now, do we?

Is there a difference between being overweight and obese?

Being overweight means you are carrying more weight than recommended. One of the standards commonly used is called the “body mass index” (BMI). An adult with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is said to be overweight. An obese person’s BMI will be 30 or higher.

What is the BMI?

The Body Mass Index is the ratio or relationship between height and weight and indicates whether or not an individual is a healthy weight.

It is worth taking a look at what your BMI is now. There are many BMI calculators on the web. Go on, give it a try!

Your BMI higher than it should be? This usually means your body is carrying more fat than it should. This can increase the risk of disease, eg diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.

How else can I tell if I’m likely to develop weight-related health problems?

Now just when you thought you could put the measuring tape away. After all, your youngest has gone to college so you don’t need to check height anymore. Well, how about measuring your waist now? “You’ve got to be kidding!” I hear someone say. No, seriously, you owe it to yourself.

Waist measurement is a good and reliable indicator of an increased health risk. Carrying too much fat around the middle increases the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.

An increased waist circumference is also associated with the risk of a raised blood cholesterol level which could lead to the possibility of strokes, heart attacks and diabetes.

It is generally accepted that if the waist measurement is more than 80cms (32”) for a female and 94cms (37”) for males, there is a definite risk of serious illness developing.

Can being overweight or obese affect my health in any other way?

Apart from heart disease, metabolic problems eg diabetes, raised blood pressure and some cancers, being overweight or obese can also cause other health problems, problems which take away one’s strength and vitality – the va va voom*! These include respiratory/breathing problems, chronic muscular and bony problems, skin problems and infertility.

Overweight and the real you!

It is not just physical issues to think about.

Do you feel good about yourself when you’ve gained some pounds or you’re struggling to lose weight and it isn’t coming off? Of course not! Being overweight or obese can have an impact on your lifestyle: self image goes down the tube, you feel depressed and useless, the va va voom goes out of your life, you’ve lost interest in getting things done, you get to feel isolated and more …

You have every reason to lose weight.

Take a few moments to think of all the benefits of following a healthy eating plan and losing excess weight:

• Fewer health risks
• Live longer and enjoy life
• Improved self-image – feeling better about yourself
• Able to fit into those nice stylish clothes – perhaps for the first time!
• Enjoying your family and friends

The list goes on and on … Only you will know the full impact of managing to lose weight and to keep it off. Having been given some of the facts, how do you rate your situation? If you have weight to lose, you have everything to gain by following a healthy and balanced eating plan.

(* The quality of being exciting, vigorous, or attractive)