Weight Basics

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Learning about weight basics is essential to gaining control. 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

According to NHLBI guidelines, an evaluation of whether you are overweight involves using 3 key measures:

Body mass index (BMI)
Waist Circumference
Risk Factors for disease and conditions associated with obesity. Including: high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, high level of LDL “bad” cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood sugar, and smoking.

Body Mass Index

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

Waist Circumference

This measure can predict the risk for diseases associated with obesity. Determine your waist circumference by placing a measuring tape snugly around your waist. Your waist circumference is a good indicator of your belly fat. Your risk for diseases related to obesity increases with a waist measurement of more than 40 inches in men and more than 35 inches in women.

Additional Information

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