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Weight loss and you
Managing Weight
Children and Weight Loss
Are you overweight?
The first step for weight loss is to evaluate your body weight in
order to understand if you are overweight and the extent to which
you're overweight. Once you have done this, you can then proceed to
chose a weight loss program that suits your unique weight loss goals
and your lifestyle. In addition, talk to a doctor about what an
effective weight loss diet suits your individual needs.
Evaluating your body weight is a simple task. There are two methods
that most professionals use to assess body weight, and these can be
easily used by individuals at home to assess their weight. These are
the Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference.
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The Body mass index (BMI)
The Body Mass Index uses an individual's weight in relation to
height to measure body fat. Using the Body Mass Index, weight is
assessed using the following scale:
BMI between 18.5-24.9 - Healthy Weight
BMI between 25-29.9 - Overweight
BMI 30 or higher - Obese
Calculate
your Body Mass Index.
It is important to keep in mind that not everyone whose BMI is in
the "healthy" range is at their most healthy weight. Those people
who carry excess fat, with little muscle, need to concentrate on
losing body fat and increasing muscle. Some people may have a BMI
just above the healthy range, but have lots of muscle and little
fat. Generally speaking, however, the higher the BMI measure beyond
the "healthy" range, the greater the health risks associated with
body weight.
Those people with a BMI above the healthy range should visit a
health care practitioner to discuss potential weight related health
risks.
Waist circumference
Waist circumference is a measurement taken around the waist. Waist
circumference introduces another factor relevant to body weight and
health risks, namely body shape. "Apple" shapes carry most of their
fat around the waist and upper body. "Pear" shapes carry most of
their body fat around the hips, thighs and lower body. When
assessing health risks, most health care providers consider a pear
shape to be less harmful to health than apple shape, due to
the fact that most apple shapes carry excess weight around the
abdomen which increases health risks associated with overweight and
obesity.
Healthy weight women should have a waist circumference below 35
inches, while healthy weight men should measure under 40 inches.
If your waist circumferences increases, you are most likely gaining
body fat. Consult with a doctor, increase physical activity and
decrease your intake of calories.
In most cases, weight loss is not recommended for pregnant women.
If you become pregnant while overweight or obese, talk to your
doctor about your weight and follow professional advice.
Weight loss surgery should always be a last resort, and should only
be considered when obesity has
contributed to serious health complications.
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention offers excellent resources and information about
weight loss,
weight management and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. The
American Obesity Association offers excellent advice and resources
for encouraging
weight loss in children and adults. Phentermine is the leading
prescription medication used for the short term treatment of
obesity. |
