Managing your weight
Being overweight can put you at higher risk of many health problems, including heart disease and stroke
Diet, family history, stress and activity level all have an impact on your weight.
Recognizing when you have reached an unhealthy weight is the first step toward managing your weight.
Risks of being overweight:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Some types of cancer
- Liver disease
- Heart disease and stroke
- Gallbladder disease
- Sleep apnea (breathing stops for short periods during sleep)
- Osteoarthritis (wearing away of the joints)
Determining body fat
Two simple methods—waist circumference and body mass index—are often used to measure the amount of a person's body fat.
Ideal numbers
Waist measurement
- Women: less than 35 inches
- Men: less than 40 inches
- Less than 25
Healthy way to reduce your weight
Avoid fad diets
With strict dieting, you may take weight off fast, but you'll likely put the pounds back on. This is the healthy way to reduce your weight:
Change what you eat:
- Eat fewer calories
- Eat as little fat as possible, especially saturated fats
Change how you eat:
- Eat when you're hungry, not when you're tired, stressed, lonely or bored
- Don't skip meals. If you're not hungry, eat less, but eat something
- Make breakfast or lunch your main meal and eat a light dinner