Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the easiest ways you can help prevent a number of diseases and conditions. A healthy weight can also control the acceleration of existing health problems.

Being overweight can create a host of problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones and gallbladder disease, breathing problems, certain cancers, high cholesterol, joint problems, osteoarthritis, and back pain. Other problems caused by carrying excess weight include: cardiovascular disease, stroke, polycystic ovarian syndrome, gout, stress incontinence, sleep apnea, and early death.

Start by evaluating your weight. Plug in your statistics to a Body Mass Indicator (BMI) calculator online or use a tape measure to determine the circumference of your waist. A BMI calculator can be found online at www.bmi-calculator.net. Another online option is a body fat calculator, www.bmi-calculator.net/body-fat-calculator.

BMI calculations                                                              Waist Circumference

Underweight – Less than 18.5                                    Less Than or Equal to 30 inches – women

Normal weight – 18.5-24.9                                           Less Than or Equal to 40 inches – men

Overweight – 25-29.9

Obese – 30+

Talk to a primary care physician if you have questions or need assistance in creating a healthier lifestyle.

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