Obesity is now a bigger threat to people's health than smoking, according to results of a study in the United States. The study was based on interviews with more than 3.5 million adults and found that between 1993 and 2008, smoking in American adults declined by 18.5% while the proportion of obese people increased by 85%. Obesity can lead to diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, sleep apnea, joint replacement and other problems.
The medical profession makes a distinction between being merely overweight and obese. According to MayoClinic.com, a person is considered obese if their Body Mass Index (BMI) measures 30 or higher. You can calculate your BMI by multiplying your weight in pounds by 703 then divide this figure by your height in inches squared. According to new Canadian guidelines BMI is classified into 6 categories as indicated below.
BMI Range Example:
Height 5’10 Example:
Height 5’4”
Underweight Less than 18.5 128 lbs and less 107 lbs and less
Normal weight 18.5-24.9 129-173 lbs 108-145 lbs
Overweight 25.0-29.9 174-208 lbs 146-174 lbs
Obese class I 30.0-34.9 209-243 lbs 175-203 lbs
Obese class II 35.0-39.9 244-278 lbs 204-232 lbs
Obese class III 40.0 and over 279 lbs and over 232 lbs and more
http://www.canada.com/health/Obesity+surpasses+smoking+health+threat+study/2411688/story.html
Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for a number of chronic conditions. The latest analysis of Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) data of Statistics Canada reports associations between excess weight and high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. For example, a high BMI is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Just 2.1% of men whose BMI was in the normal range reported having diabetes; the figure was 3.7% among overweight men, and almost tripled (to 11%) among those who were obese. The prevalence of heart disease increased with BMI among men. While 2.8% of men with a normal BMI reported having heart disease, the figure was 6.0% among men who were overweight and almost 8% among those who were obese.
Obesity rates have risen dramatically in Canada over the past quarter century. Results from the 2004 CCHS indicate that 23% of adults were obese. This is up from 14% in 1978/79, but still below the obesity rate in the United States (30%). However, in 2004, another 36% of Canadians were overweight. To make things even worse, research has shown that those who are overweight are far more likely to continue to gain weight than to lose it.
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-620-m/2005001/article/adults-adultes/8060-eng.htm
I was motivated to write this article by my recent personal experience. In 2004 I was treated for prostate cancer and I am now cancer “free”. One of the articles I read on how to fight cancer suggested that one should build up a strong immune system. However, the process of building up my immune system has not always been with the best combination of food, resulting in weight gain. Apparently, this then promoted arthritis of the joints (feet and knees) and irregular heart beat (congestive heart failure). I was fortunate to receive excellent medical treatment from my doctor and a cardiologist; in addition, I decided to declare a war on obesity. I lost 27 lbs in 4 months by eating healthy food, and exercising. With the help of medication and improved life style, the heart beat is now normal and the arthritis is less active. I am working on weight reduction of another 35 lbs in the next 6 months. I hope that my story and the information provided here will help readers who have been travelling on the same path as I have. Declare war on obesity with the help of your doctor. Remember, Mark Twain said: “Be careful of reading health books, you may die of a misprint”.
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