According to the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 65 percent of U.S. adults aged 20 years and older are either overweight or obese, and approximately 30 percent of adults are obese. Conditions related to being overweight contribute to 300,000 deaths each year in America and are second only to smoking. Out of these, African American women are deemed the fattest of all obese adults (National Pharmacy Network, 2001).How does a person find out he/she is overweight or obese?
Framingham researchers assessed participants’ body mass index (BMI), a standard measure of weight relative to height, which is an indicator of total body fat. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2 is considered a normal, or healthy, weight for adults. Overweight is a BMI of 25 to 29.9 kg/m2, and obesity is a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher. To calculate your BMI:
1. Multiply your weight in pounds by 704.
2. Multiply your height in inches by itself.
3. Divide the result of step one with the result in step two.
Being overweight increases the likelihood of developing: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, breathing problems such as asthma and sleep apnea, some cancers, osteoarthritis, and gallbladder disease. Obesity is associated with these conditions as well as with early death. Research has shown that even a small weight loss can help people who are overweight or obese lower their risk of developing many of these conditions.
When trying to lose weight, undergo a change of lifestyle. Diet control and exercise are often recommended as weight loss initiatives. Other methods for weight loss include surgery or weight loss medications. You can do a self-assessment, taking into account your weight (Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist size), lifestyle pattern (exercise, diet and smoking habits), and medical history. The best thing to do before starting on your weight loss strategy is to see a physician and seek advice on how to go about it.
The information for this article was compiled from:
http://www.nih.gov/news/, http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/health_risks.htm, The Association of Black Nursing Faculty (ABNF) Journal, and the American Obesity Association