Weight Screening

When is watching your weight necessary?

According to the CDC, more than 68 percent of U.S. adults older than 20 are either overweight or obese. Extra weight is a concern because it may cause new health issues or worsen already existing health problems. To help you determine if your weight is within a normal range, you can use this BMI calculator.

Maintaining a healthy weight is especially important if you have or have had any of the following conditions:

• Heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Cancer of the uterus, gallbladder, kidney, stomach, breast, or colon
• High total cholesterol level

If your weight is not in the healthy range for your height and build, the best way to lose weight is to set a reasonable goal and lose it slowly and gradually. Develop a healthy pattern of eating and exercising that you can follow for the rest of your life.

Understanding Your BMI

Body mass index (BMI) is a ratio of your height to your weight. Knowing your BMI is a way of finding whether you are at a healthy weight. The higher your BMI, the greater your risk for weight-related health problems.

• BMI below 18.5: Underweight
• BMI 18.5 to 24.9: Healthy weight
• BMI 25 to 29.9: Overweight
• BMI 30 and over: Obese

A Guide to Managing Your Weight

Nutrition Basics

Do you eat for good nutrition? It means more than simply eating an apple a day. Think in terms of your food choices throughout the day, from breakfast to bedtime. All foods, including your favorites, can fit into a healthy eating plan.

Take a Dietary Guidelines Quiz.

Your Everday Guide to Good Nutrition