|
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 cholesterol.
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 ostarthritis. 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.....
Michael Douglas, being an health expert offers valuable tips and articles on
health and fitness.
Visit his website at http://www.time4tips.com/ to know
more
about him and his amazing work in healthcare industry.
Article Source: http://articleson.com
|
