To Diet Or Not To Diet?

Am i overweight? This is one of the most commonly asked question
among people in all walks of life. You may have put on some
extra weight, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you have a
weight problem. Standing on the bathroom scales won’t tell you
whether you need to lose weight either, what matters is your
Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI finds out whether you weight falls
within the acceptable range relative to your height.

If your BMI is over 30, you are obese and should definitely
contemplate losing weight. Ideally, your BMI should be between
20 and 25, but if yours is a little above this, don’t panic. The
way the extra weight is distributed around your body is a
significant factor, more than the BMI count.

Doctors assess the extent to which you need to lose weight on
the basis of your body shape. There are two categories in body
shapes, apple and pear-shaped people.

Apple-shaped: This means that you tend to store fat
around your middle and is most common among men. Apples are
known to be at increased risk of a range of illnesses, including
heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes and are more
likely to have raised cholestrol.

Pear-shaped: This means that any excess fat tends to be
stored around the buttocks and thighs and seems to be associated
with lower levels of heart disease, high blood pressure and
diabetes.

Weight and your health: Being seriously overweight or
obese puts strain on your body. The joints in your knees and
hips are more prone to osteoarthritis. You may also find
yourself short of breath when making anything but the slightest
physical exertion. Excess weight is a factor in triggering
diabetes. Coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and
strokes are also more common in people who are obese.

If your BMI proves that you are overweight and after determining
your body type, you can contemplate a diet.

END-NOTE

Before you decide to take the plunge, make sure you weigh the
pros and cons of dieting…..

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