How do you know if you're overweight or obese? It should be as easy as looking in a mirror or trying on jeans that don't fit anymore, but a Harris Interactive/Health Day survey found that 30 percent of overweight Americans thought they were normal size. And 70 percent of obese people thought they were only overweight, according to the 2009 survey. Assessing your waist size and body mass index can help determine whether you need to lose weight to be more healthy.
Why Weight Matters
Close to 70 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, and if you are one of them, weight-related health problems could be looming. According to the National Institutes of Health, being overweight or obese increases your risk for ailments, including coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems and some types of cancer. It also can lead to painful osteoarthritis.
Body Mass Index
Knowing your body mass index, or BMI, can help pinpoint how far you are from a healthy weight. Basically, your BMI is a calculation that takes your height and weight into account. Numerous charts and calculators available online can help you quickly determine your BMI. For example, you'll see that if you are 5 feet 5 inches tall and you weigh 150 lbs., your BMI is 25.
BMI as a Tool
Take a careful look at a BMI chart and you'll see where your number falls within a range from normal to extremely obese. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is normal; 25 to 29.9 is overweight; 30 to 39.9 is obese; and 40 and above is extremely obese. BMI figures may overestimate body fat in very muscular people and may underestimate fat in older people. Also, there's a separate BMI calculation for children and teenagers.
Waist Size
Your waist size provides another simple clue about possible health hazards from overweight or obesity. Carrying a lot of weight around your middle is serious, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It means you have a heightened risk for developing conditions including Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and triglycerides, coronary heart disease and high blood pressure.
Waist Size as a Tool
If it looks as if you are "apple-shaped," with a lot of fat around your waist rather than your hips, here's how to measure. Stand up straight and place a tape measure around your middle as you exhale. According to the National Institutes of Health, the risks rise for a man with a waist of 40 inches or more and a woman with a waist of 35 inches or more. Your doctor can advise you about a diet-and-exercise plan to help you reach and maintain a healthy weight.
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