Though there’s no strict definition, a BMI of 26-30 is regarded as overweight, and a BMI of over 30 would be considered obese. Being a little overweight is no much of a health risk, but once your BMI approaches or exceeds 30 the risks increase. Obesity is a health hazard. There are good health reasons for keeping your weight within the healthy BMI range.
Another index of the health risk of too much body fat is the waist:hip measurement ratio. The more fat you have around the middle of your trunk, the greater the risk. This index separates the ‘apples’ from the ‘pears’. For women (even with a BMI of less than 30) a waist:hip ratio of more than 0.8 is associated with increased health risk.
Health risks of being too fat
For every unit that your BMI exceeds 25, you’re at increased risk of the following:
• heart and blood vessel disease
• high blood pressure
• mature onset diabetes
• gallstones
• arthritis, gout and other joint problems
• varicose veins
• increased risks from general anaesthetic and surgery.
There are also good psychological and social reasons for keeping a healthy weight. Women who are overweight generally feel unhappy and guilty about it, and have poor self-esteem. Constant dieting, frequently unsuccessful, takes an enormous toll on self-confidence and moods. In a society that admires slenderness, overweight people are the butt of jibes and are discriminated against in employment, promotion and education.
Should you try to change your weight?
• If your BMI is much over 25, you need to lose weight.
• If you’re within the normal BMI range of 20-25, dieting to lose weight will do your health no good.
• If your BMI is less than 20, you need to eat up to put on a bit of fat.
You can lose weight by eating less, exercising more or preferably combining the two.
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