Author: Jon White
How is obesity determined?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine whether a person is fit, overweight or obese. BMI is the ratio of a person's weight to height, and therefore may be skewed in the case of extremely muscular individuals. A person with a BMI less than 25 is considered healthy; BMI of 25 to 29.9 is classified as overweight, and a person with a BMI greater than 30 is classifed as obese.
How do I determine my BMI?
To calculate your BMI, determine your weight in kilograms (1 lb = .45 kg). This number should be divided by the square of your height, in meters (1 meter = 3.3 feet).
What are the health risks associated with obesity?
Persons with a BMI of more than 30 are at increased risk for:
— high blood cholesterol
— depression
— cancer, especially of the uterus, breast, colon, kidney and gall bladder
— hypertension
— stroke
— diabetes
— heart disease
— osteoarthritis
Recent information indicates that these disease are no longer as dependent on age as was once believed. The CDC has reported an increase of these diseases in adolescents, as a result of poor eating habits and obesity. According to health officials, the best defense against health complications due to weight is to develop healthy eating and exercise habits at an early age.
The Difference Bteween Being Overweight and Obese It's Only a Few Percentage Points, But a Wealth of Health ProblemsHow is obesity determined?The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine whether a person is
Comments
