Health Risks of Being Overweight & Obesity | How to lose weight fast Health Risks of Being Overweight | Page 3

How Can I Tell If I Weigh Too Much?
Gaining a few pounds during the year may not seem like a big deal. But these pounds can
add up over time. How can you tell if your weight could increase your chances of
developing health problems? Knowing two numbers may help you understand your risk,
➢ your body mass index (BMI) score
➢ your waist size in inches
Body Mass Index
The BMI is one way to tell whether you are at a normal weight, are overweight, or have
obesity. It measures your weight in relation to your height and provides a score to help
place you in a category:
➢ Normal Weight: BMI of 18.5 to 24.9
➢ Overweight: BMI of 25 to 29.9
➢ Obesity: BMI of 30 or higher
Waist Size
Another important number to know is your waist size in inches. Having too much fat
around your waist may increase health risks even more than having fat in other parts of
your body. Women with a waist size of more than 35 inches and men with a waist size of
more than 40 inches may have higher chances of developing diseases related to obesity.
Know your health numbers.
BELOW ARE SOME NUMBERS TO AIM FOR!
Measure Target
Target BMI 18.5-24.9
Waist Size Men: less than 40 in.
Women: less than 35 in.
Blood Pressure 120/80 mm Hg or less
LDL (bad cholesterol) Less than 100 mg/dl
HDL (good cholesterol) Men: more than 40 mg/dl
Women: more than 50 mg/dl
Triglycerides Less than 150 mg/dl
Blood sugar (fasting) Less than 100 mg/dl