Are you obese?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight while a BMI 30 and over is considered obese. Additionally, if you take a tape measure and measure around your natural waist (just above your hip bones), women should be under 35 inches and men under 40 inches. This is important when looking into the future about your health.
If you are obese:
1. You are at a higher risk for diabetes and pre-diabetes, especially if you have a large belly and have been this way for awhile.
2. You have a much larger risk for coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and plaque build-up that could lead to stroke.
3. Thirty-one percent of obese people complain about arthritis compared to only 16 percent of non-obese people. That added weight puts a lot of pressure on your joints – including hips, knees, lower back, ankles, and feet.
4. Obesity can lead to increased levels of insulin floating around the body and higher estrogen levels leading to problems with fertility.
5. Obesity prior to pregnancy that only increased when pregnant leads to higher C-section rates, longer hospital stays, pregnancy induced high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia.
6. Obese women have a higher level of depression, possibly due to their health concerns and potential lower self-esteem.
7. Obese women have a higher rate of endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, and post-menopausal breast cancer.
8. Obese women with breast cancer have worse mortality rates.
9. Obesity worsens a good night’s sleep as many have sleep apnea and snoring issues leading to exhaustion and headaches in the morning.
10. Obesity causes more aches and pains in general, making everyday activities difficult such as climbing the stairs, walking long distances, and cleaning the house.
Please don’t be a statistic – decide today to take your obesity in a healthy direction and choose to lose weight. Your health depends on it!
References:
1. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/defining.html
2. Kulie T, et al. Obesity and Women’s Health: An Evidence Based Review. J Am Board Fam Med. 2011;24(1):75-85.
http://www.jabfm.org/cgi/content/full/24/1/75
Reviewed May 27, 2011
Edited by Alison Stanton