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Obesity


The Differences Between Being Overweight and Obese

Many people are carrying a few extra pounds and then there are those who are definitely overweight the far side of the spectrum is those who are carrying so much extra weight to be classified as being obese. What are the differences between being overweight and obese regarding health and other factors?

To determine the difference based on body mass index (BMI) if an adult is between 25 and 29.9 BMI they are considered to be overweight. If an adult is 30 BMI or higher they are considered to be obese.

Children and teens have a different definition for overweight and being obese than adults do. The BMI ranges for children and teens take into account the normal differences in body fat between boys and girls and the differences in body fat for the different age groups.

The health risks are different for individuals who are overweight than they are for individuals who are considered to be obese.

Because abdominal fat is a predictor of risk for obesity-related diseases the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute also looks at the individual’s waist circumference and any other health risk factors the individual may have for diseases or conditions including high blood pressure and a sedentary lifestyle. Your risk for obesity related health issues increases if your adult waist circumference is over 40 inches for males and over 35 inches for females. The other health-related risk factors are having high blood pressure (hypertension), having a high LDL-cholesterol (bad) or low HDL-cholesterol (good), if your triglycerides are high, or if you have high blood glucose levels, or have a family history of premature heart disease, have a lifestyle of being physically inactive or smoke tobacco products.

Individuals who are considered to be overweight would benefit by monitoring their weight to be sure they are not edging towards being obese. Speak with your doctor about your weight to see if you could benefit from any lifestyle changes such as improved diet or increased activity level.

Individuals who are considered to be obese would definitely benefit from losing weight. Even if they lost just 10% of what they currently weight it would lower the risk of developing diseases associated with obesity.

The differences between being overweight and obese is in the risk factor you carry for weight related illnesses and conditions. Individuals who are obese stand a much higher risk for heart attack and stoke. They are putting their very life in danger by gaining more weight and by not taking action to reduce what they weigh. There are many programs out there that are legit.

Your doctor is the best person to seek advice from regarding weight loss programs. Weight loss must be done in a safe fashion or you run the risk of other health problems. Individuals who are overweight need to heed warnings about gaining more weight and should monitor weight carefully so they do not gain any more weight.

Are You Obese and Need to Learn Healthy Diet Habits?

If you are obese, don’t despair; you can learn healthy diet habits. It takes a well balanced diet, a good supply of carbohydrates, high-fiber foods, plenty of water, vitamins and minerals, lean protein, a small amount of fat and bacteria to have a healthy diet. Follow the below guidelines and you will be well on your way to losing weight while still keeping your body healthy.

Get into the habit of eating what your body needs and also the foods that you like.

Do not feel that you have to deprive yourself of the foods you like just because you have to lose weight.

Never eat, just because you are bored and need something to do. Find other ways of filling your time. Food should only be about nutrition and a small amount of enjoyment.

It is important to eat a minimum of three meals a day. Six smaller meals spaced two to three hours apart is even better if this fits into your time schedule.

When designing your meal plans choose lean sources of protein such as fish, shellfish, lean red meat, poultry, and eggs.

If you must use fat, make sure you use the smallest amount you can get away with. Fats can add flavor to your food and are sometimes necessary for cooking but make sure you use them wisely.

Limit or avoid refined sugar foods because too much sugar disrupts your natural energy balance, and can cause headaches in some people and mood swings too especially if you eat a lot of sugar. Fruits provide natural sweetness.

Drink four to five pints of water each day because water helps fiber in your food to swell and to perform well such as metabolizing other nutrients form your food and to keep your skin and hair healthy. Water also prevents your body from becoming dehydrated.

Avoid drinking too much in the way of caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea or cola. Drinks that contain caffeine inhibit the absorption of vitamins and minerals and can cause your body to excrete vital nutrients and also to interfere in the fluid and energy balance of your body. Caffeine also artificially stimulates your body, which may suppress your performance and make you feel unwell.

Your body needs good bacteria in the form of “live” yogurt that contains bifidus and acidophilus which helps to keep the healthy balance between good and bad bacteria in your intestines.

Your stomach should not be empty for more than four or five hours if you want your intestines to work properly. When you eat on a regular basis your digestive enzymes are kept in good supply and ready to metabolize food in the most efficient way.