The scale serves as a good way to monitor your weight, but the number can be misleading. Although weight alone can indicate whether you are overweight or obese, several other measurements are considered better indicators of whether your body fat composition affects your health. Being overweight or obese greatly increases your risk of serious health conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, liver disease and certain types of cancer, the Weight-Control Information Network advises. Knowing your body measurements can help you live a healthy life.
Body Mass Index
Your body mass index, or BMI, relates to total body fat by measuring your weight in relation to your height. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 means you are at a healthy weight, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 indicates you are overweight, while a BMI in excess of 30 means you are obese. BMI is often used to determine a person's health risks because you can easily compute it at home with no assistance. To determine your BMI, measure your weight in pounds by 703 and then divide that total by your height in inches squared. The resulting number is your BMI.
Waist Circumference
The circumference of your waist serves as another body measurement that can indicate your potential for health problems caused by being overweight. Ideally, a man's waist circumference should not exceed 40 inches, the Weight-Control Information Network advises. Readings in excess of 40 inches mean you have a higher risk for potentially life-threatening diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. You can easily determine your waist circumference by wrapping a measuring tape around your waist.
Waist-to-Hip Ratio
Another body measurement that can serve as a tool to assess your overall health is the waist-to-hip ratio. The smaller the number, the better. For men, a ratio of .9 or lower represents less risk for weight-related diseases and health conditions, Harvard Medical School reports. You can determine your waist-to-hip ratio with one simple calculation: divide the circumference of your waist by the circumference of your hips.
When To Take Action
Body measurements in excess of the ideal for BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio generally indicate your health may be at risk and you should take steps to lead a healthier life. The Weight-Control Information Network advises that men talk to their medical practitioners about how their weight affects their health if they have a BMI above 30 or a waist circumference greater than 40 or a BMI between 25 and 30 and also have weight-related health conditions or a family history of type 2 diabetes or heart disease. Your doctor likely will tell you what you already know: losing weight by improving your diet and getting more exercise will reduce your risk factors for these chronic and life-threatening medical conditions.
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