Weight and Obesity

Q. How do I know if I’m overweight?

A. You can calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI measures body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. Calculate your BMI. You are:

• Underweight if your BMI = <18.5
• Normal weight if your BMI = 18.5-24.9
• Overweight if your BMI = 25-29.9
• Obese if your BMI = 30 or greater

The score is valid for both men and women but it does have some limits. The limits are:

It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build.

It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass.

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Q. If I am overweight, is my health at risk?

A. Yes. People who are overweight are at increased risk for cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and early, preventable death. And, overweight and obese children are now developing conditions like type 2 diabetes, which in the past was only found in adults.

Obesity has become our country’s leading health problem. According to a recent report in the Journal of the American Medical Association, more than 64% of Americans are overweight, about 30% are considered obese, and the numbers are rising. And, the number of children who are overweight has doubled in the last two to three decades, and now one in five children are considered overweight.

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Q. How do I go about losing weight?

A. To lose weight, you need to burn off more calories than you eat. You can do this by eating fewer calories, becoming more physically active or a combination of both. To start, set a realistic goal. Even moderate weight loss can improve your health, so don’t try to lose too much too fast. A loss of one-half to two pounds a week is generally considered safe.

You can also help your students to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight by modeling and sharing your healthy eating and exercise habits with them and their parents, and encouraging them to participate in physical activities—at recess or outside of school hours.

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Q. For more information about obesity, where should I go?

A. If you more information, you can check the following websites:

National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases
American Dietetic Association
General information on weight loss and exercise
Diet and nutritional information
Weight Watchers

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