Simply Beth

Carrying extra weight increases the risk for health conditions* such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, and osteoarthritis.

It also impacts your self-esteem and confidence and can dampen your desire to participate in activities you enjoy. Don’t wait for your weight to lead to other health problems. There are three numbers you can assess to determine if you need to lose weight: your BMI, your waist measurement, and the risk factors that you can determine from your family health history.

*NIH, NHLBI Obesity Education Initiative. Clinical Guidelines on the identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a very common way to assess whether your current weight is problematic and should be reduced. People with a large percentage of muscle mass may get a skewed result and this method could also underestimate body fat in adults over the age of 65. You should also assess your waist circumference and family health history to get a clearer picture of whether your weight is negatively impacting your health.

View the chart to calculate your BMI

If your BMI falls in the Overweight or Obese category, that’s a good sign you need to start thinking seriously about conquering your weight.

Storing excess fat in your waist, as opposed to your hips or thighs, poses a greater risk to your health, as it can raise blood cholesterol levels and lower the body’s sensitivity to insulin.

Measure your waist circumference with a tape measure. Over 35 inches for women or over 40 inches for men is a sign to take control.

Looking at your family health history can provide a clue as to whether or not you should be concerned about your weight. Does your family health history include weight-related conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, or sleep apnea?

If you have two or more of these health concerns or know family members that have struggled with these issues, definitely consider tackling your weight.