Overweight and Obesity
Overweight and obesity are both labels for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy or normal for a given height. The terms also identify ranges of weight that have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems.
For adults, overweight and obesity ranges are determined by using weight and height to calculate a number called the “body mass index” (BMI). BMI is used because, for most people, it correlates with their amount of body fat. Use the BMI calculator available in this site to find out your BMI.
To most people, the term obesity means to be very overweight. However, there is a distinction between the terms overweight and obese. They actually refer to different degrees of excess body weight. An adult with a BMI of 25 to 29.99 is considered overweight while an adult who has a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.
Overweight and Obesity Health Risks
A large number of medical conditions, health problems and diseases have been associated with obesity and excess weight. Listed below are just some health risks involved when being overweight or obese:
- Hypertension or more commonly known as “high blood pressure”.
- Dyslipidemia or having high blood cholesterol.
- Type 2 diabetes, a disease in which blood sugar levels are above normal. High blood sugar is a major cause of early death, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, and blindness.
- Coronary heart disease which is the most common cause of sudden death.
- Stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) that can cause permanent neurological damage, complications and death if not promptly diagnosed and treated.
- Gallbladder disease which can cause gallstones or clusters of solid material to form in the gallbladder. They are made mostly of cholesterol and can sometimes cause abdominal or back pain.
- Osteoarthritis also known as degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease
- Sleep apnea and respiratory problems. A person who has sleep apnea may suffer from daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and even heart failure.
- Some cancers such as endometrial cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer.
These obesity health risks can be reduced if simply by losing weight. Here are some of the best weight loss pills which can help reduce weight.
Health Tips
Eat Healthy. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." There's more truth to this saying than we once thought. You are what you eat. What you eat and drink and what you don't eat and drink can definitely make a difference to your health. Eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day, less saturated fat and junk food can help improve your health and may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Have a balanced diet, and watch how much you eat. Read more Health Tips »
