First Lets Define What Overweight and Obesity Are
Overweight and obesity are labels for weight ranges that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. The terms also identify ranges of weight that have shown could increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems.
The overweight epidemic is estimated to have afflicted some 1.7 billion people world-wide. Approximately 2/3 of the United States population are overweight (BMI =25) and almost half of this group are obese (BMI =30). About 5% of the U.S. population is morbidly obese (BMI =40 or BMI=35 in association with significant comorbidities).1 Among children aged 6 through 19 (1992-2002), 31% were at risk for becoming overweight and 16.0% were overweight.2 There is a rise in the prevalence of obesity as well as obesity related comorbidities that are responsible for more than 2.5 million deaths annually through out the world.1
Now Lets Calculate Weight Range Using Body Mass Index (BMI)
For adults, overweight and obesity ranges are determined by using weight and height to calculate a number called the “body mass index” (BMI). BMI is used because, for most people, it correlates with their amount of body fat.
An adult with a BMI of less than 18.5 falls within the “underweight” range.
An adult with a BMI between 18.5 to 24.9 falls within the “normal” or healthy weight range.
An adult with a BMI between 25.0 to 29.9 falls within the “overweight” range.
An adult with a BMI of 30.0 or higher falls within the “obese” range.
Overweight? – What You Can Do
The reasons for being overweight or obese are multifactorial and may include genetics, environmental influences, behaviour (caloric intake and physical activity) and metabolism.
Nutritional and Behavioural Therapy – Overweight and obesity often result from an energy imbalance which involves eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activity which requires a change to behaviour and nutrition.
Medical or Procedural therapy – if Gastric Bypass has failed you there is a safe and effective incisionless endoscopic suturing procedure that can fix this.
A comprehensive and integrated solution taking this all into account is the best approach.
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