Skip to Content

AcneAnemiaBreast CancerColorectal CancerDiabetesHepatitis CHIV / AIDSInfluenzaKidney TransplantationLymphomaNausea and VomittingWeight Measurement





Weight Measurement

Obesity may be defined as the excess accumulation of body fat sufficient to endanger health; it occurs when energy intake (in the form of food) exceeds energy expenditure (in the form of resting metabolism and physical activity).

Data gathered from around the world show a rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity in the past 10-15 years. In those countries for which data are available, it has usually been found that men are more likely than women to be overweight (BMI 25-29.9), while it is women who comprise the majority of the obese and severely obese (BMI over 30)
 

Causes and Risk Factors
Frequently people gain excess weight because they eat more calories than they need as fuel for their daily activities. The excess calories are then stored in the body as fat. In addition to overeating and lack of physical activity, genetics, environment and economic situation can all increase a person's risk of becoming considerably overweight. The consumption of excess fatty food and calories plays a significant role in the development of excess weight.

While fat is an important component of a balanced diet, the consumption of excess fat contributes to excess body weight since fat provides twice the number of calories per gram of weight as carbohydrates and protein. Reduction of dietary fat intake is one potential way of losing weight.

Evidence suggests that in people who are considerably overweight, the "satiation signal" in the brain may not work well. In other words, during a meal, they don't develop the feeling "I've had enough to eat" early enough. This can lead to overeating and weight gain. Researchers also believe that high levels of a hormone called leptin may cause some people to become considerably overweight.

The good news is that losing weight can lower your risks of developing these and other health conditions. In fact, obesity is one of the most preventable causes of death - second only to smoking.

Excess weight has been proven to contribute to an increased risk of developing many medical problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, cancers, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and fertility problems as well as depression, low self esteem and other psychological disorders.
 

Diagnosis and Screening

  • Body Mass Index (BMI)
    The most widely used measure of obesity has been the Body Mass Index (BMI). It is calculated as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m2). This value is independent of age or sex.

     

    There are certain limitations to the use of BMI, including:

    • Children (who are still growing)

    • Pregnant women

    • Very muscular individuals, such as athletes

       

    Using these BMI measures, national and international health authorities have determined cut-off points to classify normal, overweight, and obese individuals.

    Category

    BMI

    Underweight under 20
    Normal weight 20.0 - 24.9
    Overweight 25.0 - 29.9
    Obese 30.0 - 39.9
    Severely obese 40 and over

  • Waist Circumference:
    Although the total amount of fat in your body is important, it is more important to know where the fat is located. Fat deposited in the abdominal area poses a far higher health risk than fat in the thighs or other parts of the body. One measure that has been shown to be a simple but accurate indicator of health risk is the waist circumference. It should be noted, however, that the risk of disease associated with waist circumference varies among different populations and ethnic groups. For example: abdominal fatness is less strongly associated with risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes in black women than in white women. Therefore, there is a need to develop sex-specific and population-specific cut-off points for this measure.


    The table below shows the increased health risk for a random sample of 2,183 men and 2698 women aged 20-59, from the Netherlands (1996)

     

    Health Risk (for metabolic disease) Related to Waist Circumference:

      Increased Risk Substantially Increased Risk
    Men over 94 cm over 102 cm
    Women over 80 cm over 88 cm
 

Management

The two most commonly used treatments are a reduced-calorie diet and appropriate physical activity, or a reduced-calorie diet and appropriate physical activity combined with a prescription medicine. One of the keys to successful weight loss is setting realistic, achievable goals. Studies show that if you are considerably overweight, losing as little as 5% to 10% of your body weight can benefit your health significantly. So, a body weight loss of 5% to 10% is often a good initial goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Other Causes of This Condition?
Aside from hereditary factors, some of the other things that can cause obesity are:

  • Poor nutrition

  • Low levels of physical activity

Poor eating habits are associated with excess weight. The high consumption of junk food that contains much fat is a major bad eating habit. Low levels of physical activity can also lead to weight gain. Remember, if you don't burn off the calories you consume through your normal daily activities, they will be stored in your body as fat. The good news is that even moderate amounts of non-strenuous activity can reduce the risk of developing many serious diseases.

Does This Condition Lead to Other Serious Health Problems?
Yes it can. Many studies show that being considerably overweight can increase your risk for other health problems, including breathing problems, sleep disorders, common arthritis and some forms of cancer. Research shows us that 70% of people who are considerably overweight develop at least one other related health problem.
Obesity has also been linked to psychological problems such as poor self-esteem, loneliness, depression and excessive overeating or binge eating (consuming more than twice the usual amount of food in a short period of time, without a sense of being in control).
 

How much weight should I expect to lose?
The amount of weight you lose depends on how well you stick to a reduced-calorie diet with no more than 30% calories from fat and an appropriate physical activity level, as well as on your compliance with the prescribed medication regimen.
Many studies show that a too-rapid weight reduction is almost always followed by regained weight. Moreover, with rapid weight reduction there is an increased risk for gallstones and, possibly, electrolyte abnormalities. After successful weight loss, a program consisting of a reduced-calorie diet, physical activity and behavior therapy, which should be continued indefinitely, enhances the likelihood of weight-loss maintenance. That’s why it’s so important to approach weight loss as a long-term goal - a healthy change in your lifestyle - rather than a short-term solution