Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Obesity and associated health risks

Currently, several different measures are used to evaluate a patient's weight status and potential health risk. However, a complete evaluation includes assessments of a person's age, height and weight, fat composition and distribution, and the presence or absence of other health problems and risk factors.

Height-weight tables indicating "ideal" weight have been in use since 1959 but have their shortcomings. A newer measure of obesity that is gaining in popularity among researchers and clinicians is the body mass index (BMI). BMI is the body weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters ([weight in kg] ÷ [height in meters]2).

BMI does not actually measure body fat, but generally correlates well with the degree of obesity. The categories of obesity developed by the World Health Organization are:

BMI 25 to 29.9 - Grade 1 obesity (moderate overweight)
BMI 30 to 39.9 - Grade 2 obesity (severe overweight)
BMI > 40 - Grade 3 obesity (massive/morbid obesity).

Using a BMI table, a person 5'6" tall weighing 140 pounds would have a BMI of 23, well out of the range of risk. That same 5'6" person weighing 190 pounds would have a BMI of 31, in the range of Grade 2 obesity.
A BMI of 27 or higher is associated with increased morbidity and mortality; this is generally considered the point at which some form of treatment for obesity is required. A BMI between 25 and 27 is considered a warning sign and may warrant intervention, especially in the presence of additional risk factors.

BMI is defined as body weight (in kg) divided by height (in m2 ). You can easily calculate your BMI by multiplying your weight in pounds by 700, then dividing the result by your height in inches and dividing that result by your height in inches. For an even easier way to calculate your BMI In recent years, researchers and clinicians have shifted focus from "ideal" body weights as reflected in the height-weight tables, to helping patients achieve and maintain "healthy" or "healthier" body weights. Studies have shown that losing even modest amounts of weight -- just 5 to 10 percent of initial body weight -- and maintaining the loss improves health and well-being and decreases the risk for a variety of obesity-related health complications.

How to measure your obesity?

Measuring Obesity

A number of tools are available to measure obesity. Most are based on height and weight ratios, body size and shape, and percent body fat. All have benefits as well as limitations. (A doctor or other health professional can perform these tests most accurately.)

Body Mass Index (BMI)Determines underweight (<18.5), normal weight (18.5-24.9), overweight (25.0-29.9), and obese (30.0 – 39.9) based on a person's height and weight. A result greater than 40 is considered morbidly obese, which can be a potentially deadly situation.

BMI is the most popular method of determining weight status by health care professionals. The BMI is limited however, because it does not account for weight from muscle versus that from fat. Below is a BMI table showing height and weight and the associated BMI units for adults.
Waist Circumference This measurement in combination with BMI has shown to be the best predictor of obesity and associated health risks.

The size of a person's waist can help predict risk of certain diseases. A waist size greater than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women increases risk for most weight-related illnesses. Waist circumference is also used to determine a person's body shape. Body shape is based on how a person carries extra weight, and is used as an important predictor of health risk.
“Apple” versus “Pear” Shape People who carry extra weight around their bellies are considered “apple” shaped. Those who carry it around their hips and buttocks are “pear” shaped. People with “apple” shapes are at risk for developing obesity-related health problems. The pictures below illustrate the “apple” and “pear” shapes”.

Waist- to- Hip Ratio (WHR)WHR is the ratio of a person's waist circumference to their hip circumference, and is also used to determine risk for weight-related illnesses. This is calculated by dividing the person's waist measurement by their hip measurement. A WHR greater than 1.0 in men or greater than 0.8 in women is considered obese.
How to measure waist circumference-Using a tape measure, comfortably measure your waist right below the rib cage and above the belly button. How to measure hip circumference? Using a tape measure, comfortably measure your hips around the largest portion of the buttocks.

The BMI, Apple vs. Pear, and WHR are useful tools for giving a general idea of how weight might affect your health. They do not tell you how weight is affecting your health imparticular. It is always a good idea talk with your doctor about your weight and weight management strategies when you have concerns or questions.

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Safe, inexpensive, easy way of losing weight!!

What is obesity?
Obesity is a condition in which excess fat has accumulated in the body. When the weight is 20% over the normal body-weight for height and age and the Body Mass Index or BMI has reached 30 or greater, the person is considered obese. Today, many doctors, physicians and organizations recognize obesity as a chronic disease and are developing treatments to help combat the condition
One the study reveals that obesity is linked to very high rates of chronic illnesses--higher than living in poverty, and much higher than smoking or drinking.Obese individuals spend more on both services and medication than daily smokers and heavy drinkers. For example, obese individuals spend approximately 36 percent more than the general baseline population on health services, compared with a 21 percent increase for daily smokers and a 14 percent increase for heavy drinkers. Obese individuals spend 77 percent more on medications. Only aging has a greater effect--and only on expenditures for medications.
Health risks associated with obesity:

1.Type-2 diabetes
2.Heart disease.
3.High Blood pressure.
4.storke
5.Few types of Cancers
6.Liver diseases
7.Osteo arthritis.
8.Gout
9.Infertility
10.Irregular menstruation in women.
How do you know you are obese? Here is the firstline signs and symptoms of obesity:
shortness of breath, excess accumulation of fat, insulin resistance, increase in size or number of fat cells, increased blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels etc.,
What can you do reduce your weight?
Diet and reduce your weight and look Healthy and younger! Simply put, slimming pills and fad diets are only short term strategy to reduce weight and keeping body fat at bay. However, a reduced-fat diet (much more realistic) only affected those levels if accompanied by weight loss. Both types improved fruit appearance, reduced weight loss, aided in firmness and color retention, and improved packing ease. Engaging in moderate exercise at least three hours a week promotes weight loss and reduces breast cancer risk. However, weight loss alone does not markedly reduce blood pressure. Finally, exercise also helps you to reduce weight by boosting your motivation to stick to your weight loss program. It keeps your body working efficiently, raises your motivation to reduce weight and helps you to maintain a healthier 'weight loss lifestyle'. Increasing Physical Activity Most health experts recommend a combination of a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight loss. The study concluded that the amount of weight loss needed to substantially reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes was small. Traditional lifestyle modifications that reduce blood pressure include sodium reduction, weight loss, moderation of alcohol intake, and increased physical activity. By doing this you get all the benefits of weight loss surgery including reduced risk of diabetes, cholesterol, heart disease and cancer. A high fiber diet and weight loss (through reduced calorie intake and exercise) can reduce your risk of certain medical conditions. The initial goal of weight loss therapy should be to reduce body weight by about 10 percent from baseline. Achieving and maintaining even a modest amount of weight loss can reduce the severity of illnesses associated with obesity. This webpage provides weight loss and management support using herbal products for weight reduction to help you lose the fat and reduce food consumption. Here are the 10 steps you need to do to reduce weight and keep ugly body fat away permanently. block starch calories, lose weight, reduce body fat, lose inches, decrease calories! Losing even small amounts of weight (five to ten percent of body weight), may reduce these risks. That means that protein and exercise combined to reduce the women's weight by burning body fat.RiskModest weight reduction reduces blood pressure and abnormal blood cholesterol and substantially lowers risk of type 2 diabetes. Clearly regular light exercise will reduce the risk of weight gain.Nausea can be a problem with some cancer therapies. Maintaining a healthy weight throughout childhood may reduce the risk of becoming an overweight or obese adult. Researchers have theorized that losing weight reduces the amount of circulating estrogens that fuel ER-positive breast cancer, thereby reducing the risk of recurrence. Because of this, many researchers suspect that losing weight might reduce the risk of recurrence.


Tips to reduce Obesity

Win the weight:
-Determine with the help of your physician how much weight has to be reduced.
Set several short term realistic goals .
-Reward yourself each time you make progress (Not food items).( Like I will buy a new sandals if I reduce this much pounds or Kgs)
-Even small weight losses have shown to be beneficial.
-Make gradual changes in eating habits. (The human body reacts negatively when calories are reduced by slowing basal metabolic rate. This makes weight loss harder.)
-You will lose weight when you burn more calories than you consume. Hence eating less and being more active help in losing weight.
-Sound eating habits keep you out of putting on weight.
-Stay motivated to lose weight.
-Slow weight loss is the safest and most effective. ( one to one and half pound per week).
-Gradual weight loss, promote long term loss of body fat.

To satisfy basic nutritional needs eat a variety of foods every day. Choose from each of the five food groups milk, meat, fruit, vegetable and cereals. Balanced food plans encourage making wise choices about everyday food choices. This type of diet helps to stay at your proper weight for life.
Allow for an occasional treat.
Evaluate your eating pattern.
Try to cut down on foods high in fats and sugar.
Most successful weight – loss plans emphazies on reduction in both calories and the amount of fat eaten
Physical activity:
Determine the type of physical activity that suits your life style.
Regular aerobic exercise like brisk walking, jogging or swimming, is a key factor in achieving permanent weight loss and improving health
Health experts recommend exercising 30 minutes or more on all, days of the week for maximum benefits. The exercises should be moderately vigorous to be most effective but not exhausting.
Incorporate few simple measures to burn calories effectively. Like- taking an after dinner walk, using stairs instead of escalators or elevators, parking the car farther away to have a longer walk etc.
Exercises also improve sense of well being ,decreases stress and decreases appetite in some.
10 Essential to reduce weight!

1.Fry or sauté foods in a non-stick cook wear with low-calorie fat.
2.Baking or boiling is recommended instead of frying.
3.Eat high-fiber foods.
4.Use sugar substitutes while sweetening foods and beverages.
Opt for light menus in restaurants, or purchase low-calorie or reduced-fat products at the grocery store.
5.Never skip meals. Eat three to six times a day in smaller portions to avoid getting hungry.
6.Use a smaller plate at mealtime to satisfy your psychological need to see a full plate.
Eat and chew slowly. Stop eating before you feel full. (It takes 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain that it is full!)
7.Weigh yourself on a regular schedule, but don’t become a slave to your scale.
8.Reward yourself with pleasures other than food--buy some new clothes, get a different hair style, see a movie, visit a friend, etc.


TIPS FOR LOSING WEIGHT

Fruits and green vegetables are low calorie foods, so over weight persons should use these more frequently.

One should avoid intake of too much salt. Salt may be a factor for increasing the body weight.
Milk products like cheese, butter should be avoided because these are rich in fat. Meat and non-vegetarian foods should also be avoided.

Spices like dry ginger, cinnamon, black pepper etc. are good for loosing weight and can be used in a number of ways.

Rice and potato which contain a lot of carbohydrates should be avoided among cereals wheat is good.

Vegetables like bitter gourd and bitter variety of drumstick are useful for loosing weight.

Taking of honey is an excellent home remedy for obesity. It mobilizes the extra deposited fat in the body and puts it into circulation, which is utilized as energy for normal functions. One should start with small quantity of about 10 GMs. or a tablespoonful to be taken with hot water. It is good to take it in early morning. A teaspoonful of fresh lemon juice may also be added.
Fasting on honey and lime juice is highly beneficial in the treatment of obesity without the loss of energy and appetite. In this mode of treatment, one teaspoonful of fresh honey should be mixed with a juice of half a lime in a glass of lukewarm water. It can be taken several times in a day at regular intervals.
Cabbage is considered to be an effective remedy for loosing weight. This vegetable inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Hence, it is of great value in weight reduction. It can be taken raw or cooked.
Exercise is an important part of weight reduction plan. It helps to use up calories stored in body as fat. In addition, it also relieves tension and tones up the muscles of the body. Walking is the best exercise to begin with and may be followed by running, swimming, rowing.
Lime juice is excellent for weight reduction. Juice of a lime mixed in a glass of warm water and sweetened with honey should be taken every morning on an empty stomach.
Measure the portions of your food every meal and make sure that the portions are small. For example one portion of rice should not be more than the quantity which can fit in your fist. Smaller meals at a regular interval of 4 to 5 hours will keep your metabolism high and prevent your body from converting the food you intake into fat. You must also include regular exercise in your daily routine to help enhance weight reduction.