Approximately 97 million Americans suffer from either being overweight or obese, according to the National Institutes of Health. Obesity increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, sleep disturbances and arthritis, as well as numerous other conditions. Exercise is one of the keys to controlling obesity; however, for your safety, it's important to start slow and exercise under the supervision of your health practitioner and an exercise physiologist.
Obesity
Whether a person is obese is a question that's answered by a simple body mass index, or BMI, measurement. Obesity is determined by a ratio between a person's weight and height and measures the amount of body fat in relation to lean muscle tissue, bone and other components. According to Kickstart Fit, if your BMI falls between 25 to 29 you are considered overweight. If your BMI is 30 or higher, you're considered obese.
Exercise
The positive effects of exercise on health have been shown repeatedly for many population groups, including the obese. NYU Langone Weight Management Program notes that more than 300,000 deaths each year are associated with illnesses related to being obese. Although exercise is usually recommended for weight loss, caution should be exercised by those who are obese. You should only follow an exercise program under the supervision of your doctor.
Risk
There are certain risks associated with any exercise routine, and if you're obese, your risks may increase accordingly, depending on your weight and other health issues. Exercise can injure joints, tear muscles and other soft tissue, increase your blood pressure and heart rate and cause a variety of breathing problems. Take precautions and let your trainer know ahead of time about any health conditions. She will design your exercise program taking into account your health risks and physical limitations.
Respiratory Conditions
Certain exercises can make you feel winded and out of breath, especially if you're not used to working out. Even the slightest exertion has its risks for the obese. You may be unable to catch your breath or feel pressure and heaviness on your chest. Simple daily activities such as climbing stairs or doing housework can be difficult and may cause problems.
Arthritis
Obesity can cause or aggravate joint problems, causing wear on cartilage and bone in the feet, legs, hips and shoulders. Arthritis can interfere with an exercise program, and certain exercises like walking may contribute to existing joint pain. Your trainer should be able to suggest non-weight-bearing exercises, such as swimming, which are easier on the joints.
Cardiovascular Disease
Exercise may produce an increase in heart rate and blood pressure as well as cause problems if you experience peripheral artery disease, or PAD. Obesity can cause the veins in the legs to malfunction, causing bruising, pain and ulceration of the calves and feet. A common symptom of PAD is experiencing pain in the legs and feet after exercise.
Start Slowly
Sometimes, in your zeal to get going, you may want to push yourself just for the sake of accomplishing a goal. Initially, your trainer should suggest you start slowly with gentle exercises like walking and swimming and possibly gentle resistance training with light weights. Even if you think you can do more, there's no sense in overdoing it when you first start just to push yourself. If you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, tingling in hands and feet or pain in your legs or feet, stop exercising and seek medical attention.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Obesity
- NYU Langone Weight Management Program: Health Risks of Morbid Obesity
- National Institutes of Health: Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults
- Kickstart Fit: Obesity and Exercise
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Exercise - Exercise's Effects on the Heart
Member Comments