A New Year comes with people all around the world making resolutions to lose weight and hence it seems fitting that January is named Healthy Weight Awareness Month. The purpose of this month-long campaign is to alert people about the various risks associated with obesity and to provide them with the tools they need to improve their health.
Obesity is the leading cause of preventable deaths, second only to deaths caused by tobacco. Obesity comes from associations with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, and respiratory problems.
One way to measure if your current weight is healthy is to measure your Body Mass Index (BMI). Although your BMI does not actually measure your percentage of body fat, it is a useful means to estimate a healthy body weight based on your height. The formulas to calculate BMI based on two of the most commonly used unit systems are:
BMI = 703 ·weight (lb)/height2 (in2) (U.S. Units)
BMI = weight (kg)/height2 (m2) (Metric Units)
This World Health Organization (WHO) recommended body weight based on BMI values for adults is represented in the table below. It is used for men and women, ages 18 or older.
Category | BMI range – kg/m2 |
| Severe Thinness | < 16 |
| Moderate Thinness | 16 – 17 |
| Mild Thinness | 17 – 18.5 |
| Normal | 18.5 – 25 |
| Overweight | 25 – 30 |
| Obese Class I | 30 – 35 |
| Obese Class II | 35 – 40 |
| Obese Class III | > 40 |
To ensure that your hard work pays off and that you achieve the best results, this Healthy Weight Awareness Month consider reducing excess calories from refined carbohydrates and fat such as sweetened beverages, as well as maintaining an adequate amount of protein in your diet. Other important features of a healthy eating plan include incorporating appropriate amounts of fruits, vegetables and dietary fibre.
Many people fall into the trap of focusing exclusively on exercise without paying any regard to what they consume. Although exercise is a highly important factor in the management of a healthy weight and body composition, physical activity will not be as effective, without a properly balanced diet.
Happy New Year with a happy Healthy Weight Awareness Month. May your weight be in your favour!
Also Read: Can You Lose Weight by Not Eating? The Dangers of Starvation Diets
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
An eating disorder is defined as a range of psychological disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits (such as anorexia nervosa).
There are no precise causes of eating disorders but depression, anxiety, low self-esteem,and substance abuse may lead to it. An eating disorder is common amongst teenage girls and young women and less common in men. This form of psychological disorder is getting more common with time in developing countries. This can be attributed to the advent of technology and the internet and their standard of ‘beauty’.
This is the most common form of eating disorder that exists predominantly in young women and teenage girls who are vulnerable and extremely self-conscious. Women suffering from anorexia are extremely scared of gaining weight and suffer from extremely low self-esteem. They become obsessed with their weight and outer appearance. This unnatural and harmful psyche leads to Anorexia Nervosa.
If left untreated, Anorexia can lead to organ failure and undernourishment.
People suffering from Bulimia Nervosa experience phases of binge eating. They often eat copious amounts of food, mostly junk food and then purge. They either vomit or misuse laxatives to throw out every ounce of food that their body consumed. This again is a result of a distorted self-image. They consider themselves fat and are scared of putting on any weight.
The long-term effects of Bulimia can include abnormal heartbeat, bleeding from the oesophagus due to excessive reflux of stomach acid, kidney failure and dental problems too.
People who suffer from Binge eating disorder often experience phases of binge eating, like people suffering from Bulimia. However, binge eaters do not exercise or purge after eating and therefore are usually obese. They are extremely sensitive about their self-image and this leads to added stress that makes them eat more. Binge eating, therefore, becomes a vicious cycle of eating, feeling guilty and eating again to feel better. Breaking out of this cycle can be quite challenging. Depression and binge eating often go hand in hand.
The long-term health effects of binge eating are heart diseases, joint pains due to excessive weight, poor blood circulation and other health problems that come knocking with obesity like poor liver functioning and kidney problems too.
More often than not people suffering from it are ashamed to admit it and live in denial and often go untreated. Eating disorders cannot be cured overnight and there are no prescribed medicines that help with such psychological disorders, however, having said that help is available for those who seek! People suffering from such disorders should seek help from counselors, medical practitioners, dieticians and psychiatrists. Therapy, love and support from family & friends and developing a positive attitude may help deal with eating disorders.
Also Read: How to Stop Binge Eating: Research-Based Strategies for Overcoming This Habit
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
