Is Being Overweight Important?
Is Being Overweight Important?
'Perfect' female body ideals are plastered all over western culture. To tell you the truth, a lot of these pictures have been edited or improved in some kind, and they don't show the average woman. The media's constant promotion of slimness, sex appeal, and fashion puts a tremendous amount of pressure on people to lose weight. Being skinny will make you more desirable, according to the incessant message.
We need to pay attention to our weight, but not for any attractiveness-related reasons, given the current demographic trends in western countries and the prevalence of high-fat, high-sugar foods and lack of physical activity. Health, not vanity, should be your primary motivation for maintaining a healthy weight.
In the West, overweight and obesity are huge issues when it comes to public health. The prevalence of obesity has more than doubled in the past 20 years, and it has been steadily increasing since the 1980s. This trend is true for both men and women. Kids are also gaining weight. The possibility that we are unknowingly preparing our overweight children to carry their weight into adulthood is a rising issue. It has been stated that we are preparing to die a slow and painful death. Therefore, why exactly should we care about maintaining a healthy weight?
Diabetes and excess body fat.
The dangers of obesity were the subject of two articles published in January 2003 by the Journal of the American Medical Association. Concern about diabetes increased in the United States in 2000 and 2001, and the first study looked at the correlation between obesity and the disease. Men and women of all ages, races, and educational backgrounds have seen a concerning 5.6% rise in obesity rates, which does not bode well. Additionally, the incidence of diabetes rose by 8.2% during the year 2000.
Premature mortality is associated with obesity.
According to the second study, being overweight seems to significantly reduce life expectancy, particularly in young individuals. When the researchers looked at the relationship between BMI and longevity, they discovered that higher BMIs were associated with a higher risk of dying at a younger age. An individual's life expectancy is predicted to be 13 years shorter due to obesity in a 20-year-old white male who is 5'10" tall, weighs 288 pounds, and has a body mass index (BMI) higher than 40. Women with higher body mass indexes also lost an estimated eight years, according to the same study. Despite these findings mentioning severe obesity, millions of people in industrialized nations are overweight and have a life expectancy three to five years lower than those who maintain a healthy weight.
Heart disease and obesity go hand in hand.
A increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other vascular illnesses is associated with obesity, which manifests itself in hypertension and elevated cholesterol levels. Not only is being overweight linked to other significant conditions like diabetes, but it can also exacerbate joint difficulties.
A simple way to determine if you are overweight
There is no universally accepted weight for height because we are all unique. As an alternative, you could aim for a healthy weight range that corresponds to your height. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a useful tool for keeping track of your weight.
An individual's body mass index (BMI) is the numerical result of a ratio or comparison of their height to weight. Your body mass index (BMI) can be calculated by dividing your weight (in kilograms) by your height (in meters) and then squared. You may discover a plethora of body mass index (BMI) calculators online that will convert your measurements into empirical values if you are not familiar with the metric system. The webpage shown below features one such calculator.
Using body mass index (BMI), the commonly accepted weight categories are:
Obesity - Body Mass Index (BMI) < 18.5
A body mass index (BMI) in the healthy range is 18.5–24.9.
A body mass index (BMI) of 25 or over and up to 29.9 is considered overweight.
Conditions where the body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher are considered obese.
Based on research of Caucasian populations, these BMI values are applicable only to people aged 18 and up. Children and teenagers cannot use them, and individuals of different cultural backgrounds might not find them suitable either.
You can also use a tape measure to find out how much you weigh by measuring your waist. This might help you determine if your abdominal fat is excessive. Risk factors for health problems related to waist circumference include:
Men: If your waist measurement is more than 94 centimeters
Women: If your waist measurement is more than 80 cm
Staying at a healthy weight has many benefits:better control blood sugar, hypertension, and cholesterollessen the likelihood of other health issuesboost one's sense of self-worth and confidencefacilitate physical activity.
Keep from gaining any more weight if you're already overweight or obese. Since most people put on a few extra pounds as they become older, this will be useful for you down the road. It is even more important to take care of your body and live a healthy lifestyle, which includes a weight loss program that is both tasty and nutritious. Your health will improve dramatically even if you only lose 10 pounds.
Kim Beardsmore has the copyright.
Post a Comment for " Is Being Overweight Important?"