For many years, the experts, including our government have been telling Americans that obesity is a leading cause of preventable deaths. For example, as recently as January, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) ranked obesity as the second leading cause of preventable death, and estimated that about 365,000 Americans died as the result of obesity every year.
Now, however, the CDC has announced that obesity accounts for only about 25,814 deaths a year in the United States. So, what has caused the CDC to give a figure (365,000) that's nearly 14 times higher than the now estimated 25,814?
And just how did the Center for Disease Control overestimate the problem by nearly 340,000 deaths?
Obesity ? being extremely overweight ? can definitely be lethal. However, several smaller studies suggest that people who are just modestly overweight have a lower risk of death than those whose weight is considered normal.
One of the problems is that "normal" may be set too low for today's Americans. Also, it is thought that Americans who are classified as overweight are eating better, exercising more and doing a better job of managing their blood pressure.
Obesity is generally defined using a measurement called Body Mass Index (BMI). It is calculated by dividing a person's weight x 703 divided by their height squared or
BMI = Weight (lbs) x 703
Height squared (in2)
This means a woman weighing 173 lbs who is 5'6" would have a BMI of 28, making her overweight but not obese.
The error was created by the fact that the majority of the 400,000 deaths came from a definition of "obese" as a BMI 30 or higher. However, a substantial minority came from the "overweight" group of those with a BMI 25 to 29.9. Besides, the study failed to show a statistically significant relationship between being merely "overweight" and increased risk of death. So, if the deaths of overweight people had been excluded, the study would have reported 17 percent fewer deaths.
For that matter, the results of this study seemed indicate that being overweight could have a protective effect. In fact, most studies find no correlation between being overweight and an increased risk of death.
A new study attributes only 111,909 deaths per year to obesity, and subtracts the benefits of being modestly overweight, to arrive at the 25,814 figure.
What does all this mean to the typical American? It means it's a good idea know your BMI as it can be used as an indicator of coming problems. If your BMI is between 18 and 24.9 your weight is normal. If your BMI is 25 to 29.9, you are overweight. If it is 30 to 34.9, you are obese with a high risk of problems such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. A range of 35 to 39.9 puts you in the obese category with a very high risk of disease. And any BMI greater than 40 makes you extremely obese with an extremely high risk of disease.
For that matter, some estimates are that a BMI of 30 or higher increases the risk of death from any cause by 50% to 150%.
What can you do if you are in one of the at-risk categories? It's pretty simple. Lose weight. You can do this by cutting back in the foods you eat and by exercising more. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has just announced new food pyramids based on a person's age, sex and amount of exercise. You can find your pyramid by going to mypryamid.gov. Put in your age, for example, 40, the fact that you're a male, and that you exercise less than 30 minutes per day. Click on Submit, and you will see a food pyramided geared specifically to help you eat healthy. Follow these guidelines for a few months and you're bound to see a new, healthier, thinner you.
Article by Douglas Hanna. Douglas is a retired advertising and marketing executive and long-time Denver resident. He is the webmaster of http://www.all-in-one-info.com, a free resource for information on a variety of subjects. Please visit his site to subscribe to his free newsletter, "Tips & Tricks to Save Money & Live Better."
Alto Pass chicago limos ..One of the difficulties with dieting is the well known... Read More
"I am going to start a diet tomorrow". How many... Read More
The percentage of Americans who are overweight and obese is... Read More
Want an after dinner snack? Jealously watching your family consume... Read More
Cellulite is a recent addition to the English language. In... Read More
As if you needed another reason to hit the snooze... Read More
At the University of Illinois, a new research found that... Read More
Fat burners have become very popular in today's society, especially... Read More
Food cravings can be triggered by various things including low... Read More
Every Journey Worth Taking Begins with a Single StepHere are... Read More
It is common for new WLS patients to ask, "How... Read More
When we gain more weight than is good for us,... Read More
Axiom Number FourTo have a great selling diet plan encourage... Read More
A little information if often a dangerous thing... and many... Read More
The human body is designed to run best on a... Read More
"Who are you to give me weight loss advice?" I... Read More
If I were asked, "what is the most difficult thing... Read More
Thinking about weight loss surgery? You're not alone. Over two-thirds... Read More
The Secrets have been in our family recipes, some even... Read More
As I become acquainted with many of our LivingAfterWLS.com community... Read More
Weight loss from exercise can be achieved by walking, running,... Read More
Fat Burners refer to the hundreds of products on the... Read More
Recently, I was reading about a diet plan where you... Read More
Cellulite is probably one of the most embarrassing of all... Read More
Maybe you losing weight comes down to the simple question,... Read More
Alto Pass cool limo ..Your pants are a bit tight, you can't seem to... Read More
To say that Americans are obsessed with dieting is an... Read More
Have you ever dreaded the idea of pulling weeds, planting... Read More
Weight loss programs often have big claims. Understand the "science"... Read More
There is no question that having a massage makes you... Read More
Dieting doesn't have to be a chore. Actually, you can... Read More
Both men and women around the world are becoming fatter... Read More
A fill is nothing to be worried about. The actual... Read More
Even if you're not overweight, you still could have a... Read More
Food is not simply fuel to keep you going. Nor... Read More
You can overcome the desires of your sweet-tooth by incorporating... Read More
A 'diet' is always seen as a temporary measure. An... Read More
Search Yahoo for "papaya" and "kirstie" and you'll find at... Read More
Finally - you are alone. No one else is around.... Read More
As a woman, your body is very complex. Throughout every... Read More
It is much safer to your long term health to... Read More
I can't do that Until I Lose This Weight! If... Read More
Actually, I was reading about fad diet and suddenly I... Read More
Here are seven tips for getting the calories out of... Read More
From the moment of birth your first emotional experiences establish... Read More
Have you ever wondered where destiny would lead you? Have... Read More
Recently a woman went public in her online diet community... Read More
(But What You Need to Know if You Want to... Read More
Mistake 1: Not changing your calorie plan as you lose... Read More
Food cravings are crafty -- they appear from nowhere and... Read More
Weight Loss |