Why should we be concerned about our weight?
In Ireland, it is estimated that 16% of women and 20% of men are obese. A further 33% of women and 46% of men are overweight and could be on their way to becoming obese. Worryingly, a recent study showed that there is a high level of overweight and obesity in Irish school children and there has been a significant increase in the level of obesity over the last 15 years.
Obesity is a very serious problem with many complexities. At least 2,500 deaths can be attributed to it each year. Being overweight or obese has been shown to increase the likelihood of certain serious diseases and medical conditions for example:
Breathing problems, such as asthma and sleep apnoea
Cancer
Dementia
Diabetes
Gallbladder disease and gallstones
Gout
Heart disease and stroke
High blood pressure
Osteoarthritis
How do I find out if I am overweight or obese?
Below are two fairly quick and easy methods to help determine whether or not you are overweight or obese. In order to get an accurate measurement, you should consult a healthcare professional such as a GP or dietitian.
Measure your body mass index (BMI)
· An adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight.
· An adult who has a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.
It is important to remember that although BMI is linked with the amount of body fat, BMI does not directly measure body fat. As a result, some people, such as athletes, may have a BMI that identifies them as overweight even though they do not have excess body fat.