Keeping a Healthy Weight

The Ideal Body Myth The average American adult woman is about 5 feet 4 inches and 152 pounds. The average American adult man is about 5 feet 9 inches and about 180 pounds. A person body type is inherited from biological parents. This cannot be changed. When your underweight – muscle loss can lead to fatigue and injury to bones & joints, body can’t store extra fat soluble vitamins, and the immune system is weakened.

Body Evolution

The Overweight Epidemic Extra protein stresses the kidneys and promotes dehydration “Obesity, and with it diabetes, are the only major health problems that are getting worse in this country, and they’re getting worse rapidly.” CDC Director Thomas Frieden, told the Weight of the Nation Conference in July 2009.

Obesity and Overweight More than two thirds, 68%, of American adults are overweight (1). One person in three (over 33%) is obese, that’s 72 million people (2). After smoking, obesity is America’s biggest cause of premature death (4). It is also a major contributor to the leading killer diseases: 70% of heart disease; after smoking, it’s the biggest cause of cancer; and over 80% of type 2 diabetes is related to being overweight.

Obesity and Overweight Obese people suffer from poorer health during their life and are likely to die ten years younger than a healthy person. Adds strain on bones, muscles, and internal organs As little as 15 lbs. over a healthy weight can raise the chance of early death. Obesity accounts for nearly 10% of US healthcare spending. This amounts to $147 billion annually (5). Smoking, by comparison, costs only $96 billion (6).

Childhood Obesity Nearly one in three (32%, 23 million) American children are obese or overweight. Most obese children (over 80%) will also be obese as adults. Today’s generation of children are predicted to be the first which will die at a younger age than their parents due to obesity-related bad health.

Diabetes 8% of the population, 24 million people, in the US have diabetes (of which more than 90% is type 2). Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-limb amputations. These problems are appearing earlier than ever before, in adults as young as 30. More than 7% of teenagers (2 million) are estimated to be pre-diabetic, with symptoms of high blood pressure and high blood glucose levels. At the early stages, the symptoms can start to be reversed within a few weeks. By controlling their diet, taking exercise and losing weight, people can avoid the need for expensive medication.

Why Weights are Rising Advertisements & TV whet the appetite Supermarket aisle are well stocked with high- fat snacks and sugary drinks. High-calorie fast food, for our fast pace life People are eating out more and restaurant servings may be two or three times the recommended amounts. People are less active Food may be a source of comfort Some people have a genetic tendency to gain weight more easily than normal.

What is a Healthy Weight? Body Mass Index uses a ratio of weight to height to calculate healthy weight for your age. But, it does not take into account all factors. – Different skeletal structures – Muscle mass Body Fat Percentage – amount of body fat a person has in relation to muscle – More accurate than BMI when completed by a professional

What is a Healthy Weight? It’s complicated for teenagers? It depends on growth spurts, growth rates, and maturing at different times. Don’t compare yourself to your friends! If you are concerned talk to a dietitian or doctor. So what are the best techniques for managing a healthy weight?

Managing Weight

A Healthful Weight-Loss Plan 1 pound = 3,500 calories. – 500 cal x 7 days = 3,500 cal – 1 lb. a week Behavior modification – making gradual permanent changes in eating and activity habits. Set Goals – health experts suggest 1 to 2 lbs a week as a reasonable weight-loss goal. Change Eating Habits Increase Physical Activity – Enjoy the activity – What little things can you do to lose 1 lb. a week?

Commercial Weight-Loss Plans Fad diets- popular weight-loss methods that ignore sound nutrition principles. Temporary plans that do not encourage sound eating habits. What to do when you need to gain weight? – Eat extra serving of each of the food groups, add extra calories to food you are eat, drink only b/w and after meals, stay active to gain muscle, not fat.