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Obesity and Weight Loss Explained
By Bridget Mwape
What is Obesity?
Obesity means an excessively high proportion of body fat.
Overweight refers to an excess of body weight, but not
necessarily 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. Generally, the higher your BMI, the higher your
health risk, and the risk increases even further if your waist
size is greater than 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women.
People who are overweight or obese are more likely to
develop heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes,
gallbladder disease, and joint pain caused by excess uric acid
(gout). Excess weight can also cause interrupted breathing
during sleep and wearing away of the joints (osteoarthritis).
Carrying extra weight means carrying an extra risk for certain
types of cancer, including endometrial, breast, prostate, and
colon cancer.
Losing Weight
Most overweight people should lose weight gradually.
Sometimes, people with serious health problems associated
with obesity may have legitimate reasons for losing weight
rapidly. If so, a physician's supervision is required. Experts
recommend that people who are overweight or obese should
concentrate on engaging in regular physical activity and
maintaining healthy eating habits.
See your doctor for advice about your overall health risk and
the weight loss options that are best for you. Together,
decide whether you should go on a moderate diet or whether
other options might be appropriate. Check with your doctor
and make sure that your health status allows lowering your
caloric intake and increasing your physical activity.
Successful weight loss and healthy weight management
depend on sensible goals and expectations. Doctors,
dieticians, and other experts agree that the best way to lose
weight is to eat fewer calories and increase your physical
activity. Follow a calorie-reduced balanced diet that provides
for 1-2 pounds of weight loss a week. Be sure to include at
least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables, along with
whole grains, lean meat and low fat dairy products. Make time
in your day for some form of physical activity. Walking is an
excellent form of physical activity that almost everyone can do.
In addition to helping to control weight, physical activity
decreases the risk of dying from coronary heart disease and
reduces the risk of developing diabetes, hypertension, and
certain cancers.
About the Author
Copyright © 2005. Bridget Mwape writes for the Nutritional Supplements Website at: http://www.nutritional-supplements.org.uk and she's also a regular contributor to the Outdoor Gear Website at http://www.outdoor-gear.org.uk/
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