Following up on yesterday's post about calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI), a new study released by the University of Oxford demonstrates conclusively that obesity has a direct impact on life expectancy.
Analyzing 57 studies that followed approximately 1 million people for over 10 years, the data obtained is incontrovertible that a BMI greater than 25 has a significant impact on the number of years that a person will live. With a BMI of 23 to 24 being most protective against early death, people with a BMI of 30 to 35 lost approximately 3 years of life, while those with a BMI greater than 40 lost an average of 10 years, about the same as those who smoke for a lifetime.
With one third of middle-aged Americans now classified as overweight, American health officials are concerned that previous reductions in the incidence of heart disease may be lost in the coming decades as Americans become less fit and more prone to obesity.
If you are concerned about your weight and have interest in understanding how you might be able to lose weight and become more fit, please contact the Amherst Health Department, and also stay tuned for new fitness programs which will be announced at the upcoming Health Benefits Fair in late April.
Showing posts with label weight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weight. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Calculating Your BMI
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Body Mass Index (BMI) is, "a number calculated from a person's weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems."
Calculating your BMI is quite easy, and in fact, you can click here to visit the CDC's online BMI calculator, plug in your numbers, and receive your results instantly.
For information on interpreting your BMI results, the CDC offers other online resources available by clicking here.
The Body Mass Index is simply a tool which assists in identifying the presence of obesity, or the risk of becoming obese. While the BMI uses only weight and height to measure relative body fat, it is recognized that athletes and those with increased muscle mass may indeed have BMIs which would put them in the overweight category. While you can use the CDC's tool to measure your BMI, you may indeed need a doctor or professional fitness instructor or trainer to assist you interpreting the results.
There are many tools to measure one's health and fitness, but in the end, you are the best judge of whether you are fit or not. Remember that data is useful, but how you interpret or apply it in your life is key. If you have questions or concerns regarding your weight, your BMI, or your level of fitness, consult a health care professional for support, assistance, and advice.
Calculating your BMI is quite easy, and in fact, you can click here to visit the CDC's online BMI calculator, plug in your numbers, and receive your results instantly.
For information on interpreting your BMI results, the CDC offers other online resources available by clicking here.
The Body Mass Index is simply a tool which assists in identifying the presence of obesity, or the risk of becoming obese. While the BMI uses only weight and height to measure relative body fat, it is recognized that athletes and those with increased muscle mass may indeed have BMIs which would put them in the overweight category. While you can use the CDC's tool to measure your BMI, you may indeed need a doctor or professional fitness instructor or trainer to assist you interpreting the results.
There are many tools to measure one's health and fitness, but in the end, you are the best judge of whether you are fit or not. Remember that data is useful, but how you interpret or apply it in your life is key. If you have questions or concerns regarding your weight, your BMI, or your level of fitness, consult a health care professional for support, assistance, and advice.
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