Why Knowing Your Body Mass Index Can Help You Fight Diabetes.That's how staggering the rise in obesity is: according to the Surgeon General's office, the number of obese or overweight adults in this country is 50% higher than just a decade ago. Recent studies predict that 1/3 of children born in 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes, which was once commonly referred to as adult-onset diabetes and is primarily caused by excess weight. And perhaps most alarming: over the past ten years, the number of deaths directly related to obesity-inspired diseases has increased by 33%. Obesity contributes to diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Diabetes leads to an increased risk of heart disease, blindness, limb amputation and kidney problems. The close relationship between excess weight and diabetes is undeniable. That's why it's so important for those who either have prediabetes or have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to watch their body mass index. What is your Body Mass Index (BMI)? It's an easy-to-calculate number that tells you the percentage of your body weight that is made up of fat. While this number is not 100% perfect, especially when the calculation is based only on height and weight, it is a good figure. Certainly good enough to use as a guide if you're trying to lose weight. Other factors commonly taken into account are gender and age. The most accurate way to determine your BMI is to work with your doctor. Not only can it offer you some additional insights into the meaning of the number, but it can also advise you on the best way to start losing weight. However, if you would like a quick look at where you fall on the BMI scale, there are a number of online calculators you can use. The quickest way to the calculator is to search for "BMI" or "body mass index". Either will do. But if you're in even more of a rush, you can try one of these: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: http://nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www. cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/index.htm After you determine your BMI number, you'll want to know what it means. As a rough guide for adults, a BMI below 20 is underweight, above 25 is overweight and above 30 is obese. For a more specific idea of where you fall on the index, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute provides a complete body mass index chart for your convenience. You can find it here: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/bmi_tbl.htm Bottom line: if you're overweight, you're at risk for diabetes. This terrible disease is almost silent, yet it can cause kidney failure, heart damage, stroke, even limb loss and amputation. This is why it is so important to keep a close eye on your weight and especially your body mass index.Your body weight index determines the percentage of fat you’re carrying. The greater the percentage, the greater the chance that you’ll develop diabetes.The close relationship between excess weight and diabetes is undeniable. This terrible disease is almost silent,
Why Knowing Your Body Mass Index Can Help You Fight Diabetes
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