Obesity
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States accompanied by an alarming rise in associated diseases. These diseases include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and osteoarthritis of the weight bearing joints (knees, hips, and low back). Weight loss has been demonstrated to be critical in the reduction of obesity-related diseasesand should be incorporated in a comprehensive approach for these medical problems.
If your BMI is greater than 25 your disease risks start to increase, and if it is over 30 you're considered obese and should seriously consider a lifestyle change involving exercise and improved dietary choices.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
The Body Mass Index is a measurement of body mass that takes into account both height and weight. The BMI is used by researchers and healthcare professionals to identify people that may be overweight and therefore at risk for certain health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and stroke.
Government guidelines suggest that a BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 indicates that you may be overweight. A person with a BMI of 26 to 27 is about 20 percent overweight. A BMI of 30 or more indicates obesity. As your BMI increases so does your risk for certain diseases. The standard BMI guidelines do not apply to those over the age of 74 or well-conditioned athletes who may have a higher BMI because of increased muscle density.