DO YOU KNOW YOUR BODY FAT? LEARN TO KNOW YOUR
BODY MASS INDEX, YOUR JOURNEY FROM FAT TO FIT
Have you gained weight? Do you still have that dress or jeans hanging back in your closet that once fit you and may be one day after losing few kilograms and inches you will wear it again for your special one. Weight is the issue we always holding on to the truth. I have seen patients especially young women who would not stand on the weighing scale in front of their family or friends. So you admit about your “big” status and yes it is not solely your fault either. Who to blame? Answer is food glorious food. Who can resist mouth watering, pile high mega size chips with fried chicken? And it tastes so delicious anyone can become ravenous and lick it off to the last grain of salt. You said: true but your honey loves eating junk food and he or she doesn’t put on weight. So now you are blaming your honey is making you fat! Keep in mind we are what we eat.
According to WHO, the projected prevalence of overweight individuals aged 30 years or more in Africa for 2005 was 24% for men and 36% for women. These numbers are projected to increase in next 10 years to 30% for men and 41% for women. WHO also estimates that at least 80% of premature heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes can be prevented through healthy diet and regular physical activity. This change of life style will in turn, would save almost 3 million lives during the next 10 years in African population. To further narrow down on facts, Professor Kinabu on September 14, 2006 at the book launch “The Executive Life Styles” mentioned that 50% of Tanzanians are overweight with the BMI of more than 25.
The epidemic of obesity is growing amongst Tanzanians so you are not alone but consider this your wake up call and all you need is strong will power plus confidence within yourself to migrate from being fat to fit.
First step to explore weight status is to find out your BMI, which is Body Mass Index. It is calculated by simple mathematical formula, and the value obtained gives an estimation of body fat based on height and weight. It is also an essential screening tool for all doctors and nurses initial physical examination. Assessing the BMI is vital for promoting your health.
There are many methods to determine BMI. Choose one that suits you from standard or metric method. Following is the metric calculation for both adult men and women of all ages. Take your present weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.
Example: weight 60 kg ÷ height (1.52)² meters = 26 is the BMI.
If you know your height in centimeters, simply divide height in centimeters by 100
Example: height 152 cm ÷ 100 = 1.52 meters.
Alternately you can log on the website www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi for BMI calculator.
Now that you have your results, interpret to determine if you need to lose or gain weight; or give yourself a hug for being just right. The normal BMI for adults 20 years and older is between the range of 18.5 – 24.9. If your reading is below 18.5, you might be underweight and referring to a physician would be a good idea to rule out your nutritional status. A low reading is associated with higher mortality rates due to eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia or other medical conditions. A BMI over 25 is considered as overweight and those with a BMI over 30 are considered obese. Above 40 would be classified as extreme obesity.
Conversely, BMI is a significant tool for quick answer about obesity; there are few limitations as well. Many times I have seen patients with high BMI but they have appeared physically fit. For example athletes may have high BMI which is because of their muscular built. Muscle is denser and heavier than fat. Therefore, a heavy muscled person’s BMI can be misleading who weigh more than average for their height but do not carry excess body fat. Similarly BMI readings could affect obesity relationship in older individuals who have lost muscle mass. Also is not for pregnant and breast feeding women as there is different formula to measure their body fat.
It is imperative in addition to the calculation of BMI is your waist circumference measurement. Body fat that accumulates around the abdomen is another predictor of being overweight and at high risk for heart and other diseases.
To measure your waist circumference place a tape measure around your waist at the level of hip bone. Men tends to collect fat around waist and stomach, can I say “beer belly”.
In comparison, women carry more fat on their hips, buttocks and thighs. Men who have waist circumference more than 40 inches and women greater than 35 inches have excess abdominal fat and are prone to many health problems. Gentlemen it is about time to tackle your beer belly, you got nothing to lose but growing fat. Your pants will fit better and health will also improve.
High range of BMI and waist circumference puts you at increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke; and osteoarthritis and may cause loss of memory in the old age as well.
If you have a sedentary lifestyle meaning sitting or inactive most of the day at home or even in the office, let me put it bluntly that you are abusing your body. Find at least 10 to 15 minutes each waking hour to engage yourself in some sort of activity like walking, stretching. Adopt a hobby or project with your partner, friends and family to get yourself moving plus it will improve your relationship, now that is a bonus. Regular exercise every day for only 30 minutes will show positive health results. A small weight loss of just 10% of your current weight will reduce your risk of developing diseases associated with obesity.
To conclude, if your body mass index is above 25 and waist circumference greater than 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men, please consult your doctor for a complete physical examination. Eat sensibly and exercise regularly to lose weight and have better health and life.
BODY MASS INDEX, YOUR JOURNEY FROM FAT TO FIT
Have you gained weight? Do you still have that dress or jeans hanging back in your closet that once fit you and may be one day after losing few kilograms and inches you will wear it again for your special one. Weight is the issue we always holding on to the truth. I have seen patients especially young women who would not stand on the weighing scale in front of their family or friends. So you admit about your “big” status and yes it is not solely your fault either. Who to blame? Answer is food glorious food. Who can resist mouth watering, pile high mega size chips with fried chicken? And it tastes so delicious anyone can become ravenous and lick it off to the last grain of salt. You said: true but your honey loves eating junk food and he or she doesn’t put on weight. So now you are blaming your honey is making you fat! Keep in mind we are what we eat.
According to WHO, the projected prevalence of overweight individuals aged 30 years or more in Africa for 2005 was 24% for men and 36% for women. These numbers are projected to increase in next 10 years to 30% for men and 41% for women. WHO also estimates that at least 80% of premature heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes can be prevented through healthy diet and regular physical activity. This change of life style will in turn, would save almost 3 million lives during the next 10 years in African population. To further narrow down on facts, Professor Kinabu on September 14, 2006 at the book launch “The Executive Life Styles” mentioned that 50% of Tanzanians are overweight with the BMI of more than 25.
The epidemic of obesity is growing amongst Tanzanians so you are not alone but consider this your wake up call and all you need is strong will power plus confidence within yourself to migrate from being fat to fit.
First step to explore weight status is to find out your BMI, which is Body Mass Index. It is calculated by simple mathematical formula, and the value obtained gives an estimation of body fat based on height and weight. It is also an essential screening tool for all doctors and nurses initial physical examination. Assessing the BMI is vital for promoting your health.
There are many methods to determine BMI. Choose one that suits you from standard or metric method. Following is the metric calculation for both adult men and women of all ages. Take your present weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.
Example: weight 60 kg ÷ height (1.52)² meters = 26 is the BMI.
If you know your height in centimeters, simply divide height in centimeters by 100
Example: height 152 cm ÷ 100 = 1.52 meters.
Alternately you can log on the website www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi for BMI calculator.
Now that you have your results, interpret to determine if you need to lose or gain weight; or give yourself a hug for being just right. The normal BMI for adults 20 years and older is between the range of 18.5 – 24.9. If your reading is below 18.5, you might be underweight and referring to a physician would be a good idea to rule out your nutritional status. A low reading is associated with higher mortality rates due to eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia or other medical conditions. A BMI over 25 is considered as overweight and those with a BMI over 30 are considered obese. Above 40 would be classified as extreme obesity.
Conversely, BMI is a significant tool for quick answer about obesity; there are few limitations as well. Many times I have seen patients with high BMI but they have appeared physically fit. For example athletes may have high BMI which is because of their muscular built. Muscle is denser and heavier than fat. Therefore, a heavy muscled person’s BMI can be misleading who weigh more than average for their height but do not carry excess body fat. Similarly BMI readings could affect obesity relationship in older individuals who have lost muscle mass. Also is not for pregnant and breast feeding women as there is different formula to measure their body fat.
It is imperative in addition to the calculation of BMI is your waist circumference measurement. Body fat that accumulates around the abdomen is another predictor of being overweight and at high risk for heart and other diseases.
To measure your waist circumference place a tape measure around your waist at the level of hip bone. Men tends to collect fat around waist and stomach, can I say “beer belly”.
In comparison, women carry more fat on their hips, buttocks and thighs. Men who have waist circumference more than 40 inches and women greater than 35 inches have excess abdominal fat and are prone to many health problems. Gentlemen it is about time to tackle your beer belly, you got nothing to lose but growing fat. Your pants will fit better and health will also improve.
High range of BMI and waist circumference puts you at increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke; and osteoarthritis and may cause loss of memory in the old age as well.
If you have a sedentary lifestyle meaning sitting or inactive most of the day at home or even in the office, let me put it bluntly that you are abusing your body. Find at least 10 to 15 minutes each waking hour to engage yourself in some sort of activity like walking, stretching. Adopt a hobby or project with your partner, friends and family to get yourself moving plus it will improve your relationship, now that is a bonus. Regular exercise every day for only 30 minutes will show positive health results. A small weight loss of just 10% of your current weight will reduce your risk of developing diseases associated with obesity.
To conclude, if your body mass index is above 25 and waist circumference greater than 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men, please consult your doctor for a complete physical examination. Eat sensibly and exercise regularly to lose weight and have better health and life.
