Obesity and Weight Loss Explained

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.

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