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Checking up on your weight and waistline

More than half the people are overweight, and of those, 22% are obese. This proportion is on the rise and increasingly younger individuals are facing the problem. Excess weight significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and other illnesses.

Fortunately, changes to the level of physical activity and to nutrition can make a difference. You don’t need “miracle diets” or weight-loss products – which are often bad for you – to control your weight. Several factors can explain weight gain, but it’s not always easy to recognize, or even understand them. Here are a few tips to help you identify them:

  • too many calories
  • too little exercise
  • family history
  • unhealthy eating habits
  • stopping smoking
  • taking certain medications
  • “couch potato” environments

 

How to Check

The Canadian body weight classification system uses two indicators to evaluate the possible risk of health problems associated with either an excess or insufficiency of weight: body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. This system is for use with adults age 18 years and over with the exception of pregnant and lactating women

 

What is the BMI?

The body mass index (BMI) allows us to evaluate if a person’s weight represents a health risk.

BMI Weight Category Risk of health problems
Less than 18.5 Underweight Increased
18.5 - 24.9 Normal weight Least
25 - 29.9 Overweight Increased
Over 30.0 Obese High to very high

To calculate your BMI, click here, or simply ask your physician.

The BMI only applies to people 18 years or older. In addition, if you’re over 65 years or if your muscles are very developed, your BMI can be slightly higher than 25 without increasing the risks to your health.

Source: Health Canada. Canadian Guidelines for Body Weight Classification in Adults, 2003.

 

Waistline: A Weighty Measurement

The risk of disease increases when the excess weight is localized around the waist rather than elsewhere on the body.

Where do you find yourself?

With the help of a tape measure, measure your waist circumference halfway between the top of your hipbone and the bottom of your ribcage, without sucking in your stomach.

Waist Circumference Measurement Risk of suffering from CVD and Diabetes 
Normal Range of Waistline Men: less than 94 cm (37 in)
Women: less than à 80 cm (32 in) 		 Least
Abdmonial Heaviness Men: between 94 and 102 cm (37 and 40 in)
Women: between 80 and 88 cm (32 and 35 in) 		 Increased
Abdominal Obesity Men: more than or equal to 102 cm (40 in)
Women: more than or equal to 88 cm (35 po)		 High

Sources:

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