What is obesity?
Obesity
means that you have an unhealthy amount of body fat. Everyone
needs some body fat, but too much fat can cause health problems.
Overweight
and obesity are defined using a tool called Body Mass Index (BMI).
BMI is a way of estimating total body fat for most people. The
easiest way to find out your BMI is to use a BMI table for adults
(see below). There is also a handy BMI calculator at the National
Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's web site (see resources at the
end of this FAQ). To find your BMI, you need to know your height
and your weight. You can also take your weight in pounds, divide
that number by your height in inches squared, and multiply the
result by 703 to get your BMI.
Note:
this chart is for adults (age 20 years and older) Source: Surgeon
General's Healthy Weight Advice for Consumers, 2001
If
your BMI is 25-29.9, you are in the "overweight" category.
If your BMI is 30 or above, you are in the "obese" category.
There are three classes of obesity:
Class
I obesity — BMI of 30-34.9
Class
II obesity— of 35-39.9
Class
III obesity— of 40 and higher
In
general, the higher your BMI is above 25, the greater your weight-related
health risks.
What causes
being overweight and obesity?
The
main causes of being overweight or obese are eating too much and/or
not being active enough. If you eat more calories than your body
burns up, the extra calories are stored as fat. Everyone has some
stored fat. Too much fat results in being overweight or obese.
Other factors that may affect your weight include your genes (obesity
tends to run in families), your metabolism (how your body processes
food), your racial/ethnic group, and your age. Sometimes an illness
or medicine can contribute to weight gain. Researchers are studying
the causes of obesity to learn more about how to prevent and reverse
it.
How many women are obese?
According
to the Surgeon General of the United States, overweight and obesity
are increasing in both men and women. The latest estimates are
that 34 percent of U.S. adults aged 20 to 74 years are overweight,
and an additional 27 percent are obese. About half of all women
aged 20 to 74 are overweight or obese. The percentages of obese
women among African American, Native American and Mexican American
women are even higher.
What are
some of the serious health problems linked to obesity?
If
you are overweight or obese, you are more likely to develop health
problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.
The good news is that losing weight can improve how your heart
works, lower your blood pressure, improve your cholesterol levels,
and lower your chances of getting other health problems.
Overweight
and obesity are linked to:
Heart
disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both
men and women in the United States. Heart disease includes heart
attack, heart failure, and angina (chest pain caused by reduced
blood flow to the heart).
Stroke.
A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack." Most
strokes are caused by a blood clot blocking an artery that takes
blood to the brain.
Diabetes.
Overweight people are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes
as people who are not overweight. Type 2 diabetes reduces your
body's ability to control your blood sugar. It is a major cause
of early death, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, and blindness.
If you have type 2 diabetes, losing weight and being more physically
active can help control your blood sugar levels. You may also
be able to reduce the amount of medicine that you need.
Cancer
of the gallbladder, breast, uterus, cervix, and ovaries (for women).
Overweight men are at greater risk for developing cancer of the
colon, rectum, and prostate.
Gallstones
or gallbladder disease. Gallbladder disease and gallstones
are more common if you are overweight. Your risk of disease increases
as your weight increases. But weight loss itself, particularly
rapid weight loss or loss of a large amount of weight, can actually
increase your chances of getting gallstones. Modest, slow weight
loss of about 1 pound a week is less likely to cause gallstones.
Osteoarthritis
(wearing away of the joints). Osteoarthritis is a common joint
disorder that most often affects the joints in your knees, hips,
and lower back. Extra weight puts extra pressure on these joints
and wears away the cartilage (tissue that cushions the joints)
that normally protects them. Weight loss may improve the symptoms
of osteoarthritis.
Gout
(joint pain caused by excess uric acid). Gout is a joint disease
caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid sometimes
forms crystals that are deposited in the joints. Gout is more
common in overweight people. If you have a history of gout, check
with your doctor before trying to lose weight. Some diets may
lead to an attack of gout in people who have high levels of uric
acid or who have had gout before.
Breathing
problems, including sleep apnea (interrupted breathing during
sleep). Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can cause a person
to stop breathing for short periods during sleep and to snore
heavily. Sleep apnea may cause daytime sleepiness and even heart
failure. The risk for sleep apnea increases with higher body weights.
Weight loss usually improves sleep apnea.
High
blood cholesterol. High levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol
("bad cholesterol") and triglycerides (another type
of fat in the blood) can lead to heart disease. Obesity is also
linked to low levels of HDL cholesterol ("good cholesterol").
Weight loss can improve your cholesterol levels.
High
blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major risk factor
for heart disease and stroke. Obese adults are twice as likely
to have high blood pressure as those who are at a healthy weight.
Weight loss can lower your blood pressure.
Complications
of pregnancy. Obesity increases the risks of high blood pressure
and a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. Obese women
are more likely to have problems with labor and delivery.
Irregular
menstrual cycles and infertility. Abdominal obesity is linked
to polycystic ovary syndrome, a cause of infertility in women.
Psychological
and social effects, such as depression and discrimination.
One of the most painful aspects of obesity may be the emotional
suffering it causes. American society places great emphasis on
physical appearance, often equating attractiveness with slimness,
especially in women. The messages, intended or not, make overweight
people feel unattractive. Obese people often face prejudice or
discrimination at work, at school, while looking for a job, and
in social situations. Feelings of rejection, shame, or depression
are common.
What are
metabolic syndrome and abdominal obesity?
The
latest national guidelines for preventing and managing high blood
cholesterol describe a group of risk factors called metabolic
syndrome. Abdominal obesity, defined as a large waist size (more
than 35 inches in women and more than 40 inches in men), is part
of the syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is linked to insulin resistance
(which can lead to diabetes) and a high risk of getting heart
disease. You have metabolic syndrome if you have at least three
of these risk factors:
a
large waist measurement (abdominal obesity) of over 35 inches
for women
high
triglycerides (150 or above)
a
low HDL or "good" cholesterol level (for women, under
50)
blood
pressure of 130/85 or higher
fasting
glucose (blood sugar) of 110 or higher.
Improved
diet, weight loss, and increased physical activity are very important
if you have metabolic syndrome.
How can
I improve my health if I am obese?
The
key to reaching and staying at a healthy (or healthier) body weight
is to balance healthful eating with regular physical activity.
The Surgeon General suggests the following steps to better health.
Aim
for a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese, losing
just 10 percent of your body weight can improve your health. Lose
weight gradually — 1/2 to 2 pounds per week. Do not go on
fad diets. These can often hurt your health. Ask your doctor about
the best weight loss plan for you.
Be
active. Be physically active for at least 30 minutes on most
days of the week. Regular exercise is very important in weight
control and has many other health benefits.
Some
examples of good ways to exercise include walking, yard work,
housework, and dancing. More vigorous exercise can raise your
HDL ("good cholesterol") level and make your heart stronger.
This kind of activity is called "aerobic" and includes
jogging, swimming, jumping rope, or brisk walking or bicycling.
Be sure to build up your activity level gradually over a period
of several weeks. Check with your doctor before starting a vigorous
exercise program.
Eat
well. Eat smaller portions, eat more foods that are lower
in fat and calories, and follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
These guidelines call for eating plenty of fruits, vegetables,
and whole grains. Try to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables
every day. Choose foods that are low in saturated fat and eat
fewer foods that are high in sugar or salt.
If
you are overweight or obese, talk with your doctor or health
care provider about ways to improve your health. If you already
have health problems related to obesity, such as high blood pressure
or diabetes, follow the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor.
For more information...
For more information on obesity contact the National Women's Health
Information Center (NWHIC) at (800) 994-WOMAN or the following
organizations:
Office of the Surgeon General, OS, HHS
Phone Number(s): (301) 443-6496
Web Site: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/Default.htm
The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent
and Decrease Overweight and Obesity
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/default.htm
National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive &
Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Phone Number(s): (301) 654-4415
Weight Loss and Control Topics: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/nutrit.htm
Web Site: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information
Center (NHLBI)
Phone Number(s): (301) 592-8573 (Publications) or (800) 575-9355
(Blood Pressure & Cholesterol Information)
Web Site: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/infoctr/index.htm
NHLBI Aim for a Healthy Weight (Obesity Education
Initiative):
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/index.htm
NHLBI's BMI Calculator
http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm
NHLBI's BMI Tables
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/bmi_tbl.htm
National Library of Medicine
Phone Number(s): (888) 346-3656
MEDLINE plus links to obesity information: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/obesity.html
Web Site: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Phone Number(s): (888) 232-4674
Nutrition and Physical Activity: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/index.htm
Web Site: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
Phone Number(s): (800) 258-8146
Web Site: http://www.fitness.gov
The above information is presented with permission
from the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health
and Human Services.
