Do I need to lose weight?

Question: Do I need to lose weight?

Answer: There are several indicators that health professionals use to assess the need for weight loss. You should see your doctor before beginning any weight loss program, but you can actually assess your weight using the same standards as medical professionals. They are:

• Your body mass index (BMI) is in the overweight or obese range.
• You have a high BMI and you have weight-related health problems (or a family history of health problems).
• Your waist measures more than 40 inches if you are a man or more than 35 inches if you are a woman.

Experts say a weight loss of just five to 15% of your current body weight can help improve your health and quality of life. Doing so can also help prevent obesity-related health problems. For someone who weighs 200 pounds, losing just 10 pounds can begin making a difference in their health and every day life.

Even if you do not need to lose weight, it is recommended that you still follow healthy eating guidelines and stay physically active -- these habits will prevent weight gain and help keep you healthy as you age.

To assess your BMI, you can use a BMI chart or do a simple mathematic formula.

_Reference

National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Weight-control Information Network. WIN - Publication Weight Loss for Life. 12 Oct 2007.