Weight Management

Genes affect one's tendency to gain weight. A tendency to gain weight is increased when food is plentiful and when using equipment and vehicles to save time and energy. Plentiful food and labor-saving devices can make it very difficult to avoid weight gain, but it is possible to manage one's weight through food and physical activity choices.

A lifestyle that combines sensible eating with regular physical activity is the key to good health. To be at their best, adults need to avoid gaining excess weight, many need to lose weight, and some are underweight. Being overweight or obese increases a person's risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain types of cancer, arthritis, and breathing problems.

A healthy weight is a major factor for a long, healthy life.

How should people evaluate their weight?

People can evaluate their weight through the following methods:

1. Weigh oneself and have one's height measured.

2. Find one's BMI category. The higher the BMI category, the greater the risk for health problems.

Measure around the waist while standing, just about the hip bones. If it is greater than 35 inches for women or 40 inches for men, there is probably excess abdominal fat. This excess fat may place one at greater risk of health problems, even if the BMI is about right.

What are the risk factors associated with being overweight or obese?

The more of these risk factors someone has, the more he or she is likely to benefit from weight loss if overweight or obese.

1. Is there a personal or family history of heart disease?

2. Is the individual a male older than 45 years or a postmenopausal female?

3. Does the person smoke cigarettes?

4. Does that individual have a sedentary lifestyle?

5. Has a doctor told the person that he or she has high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipids (high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides), or diabetes?

   
   

How can people use their BMI to evaluate their bodies?

When it comes to adults and children, different methods are used to find out if weight is about right for height. Adults should learn their BMI (click here for calculations). Not all adults who have a BMI in the range labeled "healthy" are at their most healthy weight.

• Some may have lots of fat and little muscle.

• A BMI above the healthy range is less healthy for most people; but it may be fine if someone has lots of muscle, a large body frame, and little fat.

• The further one's BMI is above the healthy range, the higher one's weight-related risk. If a person's BMI is above the healthy range, he or she may benefit from weight loss, especially if there are other health risk factors.

• BMIs slightly below the healthy range may still be healthy unless they result from illness.

There is no single perfect body size for children. However, many children in the United States are overweight. If someone has concerns about his or her child's body size, talk with a health-care professional.

Keep track of one's weight and waist measurement, and take action if either of them increases. If someone's BMI is greater than 25, at least try to avoid further weight gain. If middle-aged or elderly and the waist measurement increases, one is probably gaining fat and losing muscle. If so, take steps to eat less and become more active.