To Treat or Not to Treat: Weight Loss
It is no secret that excess body fat is a major risk factor for disease. In recent years several criteria have been introduced to evaluate this risk factor. Nevertheless, the need for treatment is typically only assessed on the basis of a person's Body Mass Index (BMI).
One study’s goal was to determine whether application of the BMI, compared to other weight measurement options could change how they were classified in the underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese categories. In addition to BMI, they looked at a person’s percentage body fat, metabolic syndrome risk, waist circumference, and Body Fat Mass Index.
They found that a number of people were being misclassified in their weight categories. BMI compared to almost all of the other weight and fat measuring options identified that less people would be recommended for treatment. Thus, using more methods to determine a person’s body fat, more people were found to need weight management treatment.
What does this mean for you? Something researchers have found is that many people don’t recognize that their weight is an issue. However, if your weight is affecting your activities or how you feel each day, you know if you would feel better if you lost weight. So, if you believe that perhaps your doctor is just being ‘kind’ by telling you your weight is fine, you can take charge and do something about it, now!
In fact, spring is just about upon us and is a great time to start increasing activity and choosing more foods that are fresh and whole, such as fruits and vegetables. So my advice is to take a serious look at your weight and your health and make a decision on these on your own. Then make a plan to do something about it!
To read the abstract of this study, go to this link:
http://www.nutritionj.com/content/7/1/5
One study’s goal was to determine whether application of the BMI, compared to other weight measurement options could change how they were classified in the underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese categories. In addition to BMI, they looked at a person’s percentage body fat, metabolic syndrome risk, waist circumference, and Body Fat Mass Index.
They found that a number of people were being misclassified in their weight categories. BMI compared to almost all of the other weight and fat measuring options identified that less people would be recommended for treatment. Thus, using more methods to determine a person’s body fat, more people were found to need weight management treatment.
What does this mean for you? Something researchers have found is that many people don’t recognize that their weight is an issue. However, if your weight is affecting your activities or how you feel each day, you know if you would feel better if you lost weight. So, if you believe that perhaps your doctor is just being ‘kind’ by telling you your weight is fine, you can take charge and do something about it, now!
In fact, spring is just about upon us and is a great time to start increasing activity and choosing more foods that are fresh and whole, such as fruits and vegetables. So my advice is to take a serious look at your weight and your health and make a decision on these on your own. Then make a plan to do something about it!
To read the abstract of this study, go to this link:
http://www.nutritionj.com/content/7/1/5
posted by Margie Geiser, MBA, RD, NSCA-CPT at
6:45 AM
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