Obesity

During the past 20 years, obesity among adults has risen significantly. This increase is not limited to adults. The percentage of young people who are overweight has risen substantially recently.

These increasing rates raise concern because of their implications for health. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions, including the following:

• Hypertension

• Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)

• Type 2 diabetes

• Coronary heart disease

• Stroke

• Gallbladder disease

• Osteoarthritis

• Sleep apnea and respiratory problems

• Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)

Overweight and obesity are both labels for ranges of weight that are greater than is generally considered healthy 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.

• An adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight.

• An adult who has a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.

See the following table for an example.

• It is important to remember that although BMI correlates with the amount of body fat, BMI does not directly measure body fat. As a result, some people, such as athletes, may have a BMI that identifies them as overweight even though they do not have excess body fat.

• Other methods of estimating body fat and body fat distribution include measurements of skinfold thickness and waist circumference, calculation of waist-to-hip circumference ratios, and techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

For children and teens, BMI ranges above a normal weight have different labels (at risk of overweight and overweight). Additionally, BMI ranges for children and teens are defined so that they take into account normal differences in body fat between boys and girls and differences in body fat at various ages.

BMI is just one indicator of potential health risks associated with being overweight or obese. For assessing someone's likelihood of developing overweight- or obesity-related diseases, guidelines recommend looking at two other predictors:

• The individual's waist circumference (because abdominal fat is a predictor of risk for obesity-related diseases).

• Other risk factors the individual has for diseases and conditions associated with obesity (for example, high blood pressure or physical inactivity).

Ask Your Doctor about Sensible Goals

Your doctor or other health worker can help you set sensible goals based on a proper weight for your height, build and age.

Men and very active women may need up to 2,500 calories daily. Other women and inactive men need only about 2,000 calories daily. A safe plan is to eat 300 to 500 fewer calories a day to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week.

Exercise 30 Minutes

Do at least 30 minutes of exercise, like brisk walking, most days of the week.

The idea is to use up more calories than you eat. You need to use up the day's calories and some of the calories stored in your body fat.

Eat Less Fat and Sugar

This will help you cut calories. Fried foods and fatty desserts can quickly use up a day's calories. And these foods may not provide the other nutrients you need.

Tips for Cutting Calories and Fat

• Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, and grain products like bread and rice.

• Eat only small, single servings of foods high in fat or calories.

• Eat less sugar and fewer sweets.

• Drink less or no alcohol.

• Choose foods whose labels say low, light or reduced to describe calories or fat.

• Choose skimmed milk products and reduced fat cheeses.

• Replace ice cream with fat-free frozen yogurt.

• Replace sour cream with fat-free or low-fat plain yogurt.

• Make sure fish, poultry and meat are lean. Trim skin and fat.

• Boil, roast or steam foods.

Eat a Favourite Rich Food, Sometimes

That may keep you from craving it. But eat only a small amount.

Make sure your other foods that day are low in fat and calories.

Eat a Wide Variety of Foods

Variety in the diet helps you get all the vitamins and other nutrients you need.

Watch Out for Promises of Quick and Easy Weight Loss

Fad diets aren't good because they often call for too much or too little of one type of food. As a result, you may not get enough of important nutrients you need daily.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't true.

What about Diet Pills?

Diet pills you buy without a prescription won't make a big difference in how much you lose each week or how long you keep the weight off. If you do use them, read the label carefully. Because of possible side effects, like high blood pressure, never take more than the listed dose.

Also, be careful about taking cough or cold medicines with diet pills you buy without a prescription. These medicines may contain the same drug used in diet pills, or a similar drug with the same effects. If you take both products together, you may get too much of the same type drug. This can hurt you.

Before taking a cough or cold medicine while using diet pills, ask your pharmacist if it's OK.

Prescription diet pills may help some people. If you use them, follow the doctor's directions carefully.

Before Signing Up For a Weight Loss Programme, Ask Questions

Does the Company:

• Explain possible health risks from weight loss?

• Explain all costs?

• Include weight control over a long time?

• Have proof of success, not just praise by other people?

• Give a clear, truthful statement of how you're going to lose weight, including how much and how fast?

• Teach how to eat healthfully and exercise more?

If you have more questions about weight loss ask your doctor.