|
Obesity, What's The 'Big' Deal Part 3
By: Dr. Marshal Montgomery
Obesity, What’s the “Big” Deal? Part III
----------------------------------------------------------
This article has been provided by Dr. M. Montgomery at www.healthyunderstanding.com
Dr. Montgomery is a practicing Chiropractor in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Previously we have discussed the obesity epidemic, the Surgeon General’s warning, associated risks of this condition, the definition of obesity and overweight, as well as some of the excuses and lifestyle factors associated with obesity.
In this issue we will discuss some methods of fat calculation, and cut off levels associated with increased risk.
-----
Methods of Fat Calculation
There are numerous ways in which to calculate the approximate fat content of an individual’s body. Some of the more commonly known methods are: BMI (Body Mass Index), DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), bioelectrical impedance analysis, skin caliper pinch tests, and underwater weighing.
The most direct measures of body fat, such as underwater weighing or DEXA scanning, are impractical for use. Indirect estimates of body fat are more practical. (1)
-----
Body Mass Index
One of the most commonly used methods is BMI due its ease of use. The calculation for this is BMI = weight (in Kg)/height (m)˛. The values for different ages show relative health risks.
Although BMI has been used to evaluate overweight and obesity in adults for many years, it has recently been recommended for the screening of children and adolescents. With this change you can use it from the age of 2 years through to adulthood. However, BMI is used differently to define overweight in children and adolescents than it is in adults. (2)
Overweight in children and adolescents is defined as a BMI-for-age at or above the 95th percentile on the CDC growth charts. The risk of overweight for ages 2-20 years is defined as a BMI-for-age between the 85th and the 95th percentiles. (2)
a BMI of 27.3 or more for women and
a BMI of 27.8 or more for men.
The World Health Organization assigns an increasing risk for developing other conditions including hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease for people with higher BMI’s as compared to persons of normal weight.
Normal is defined as having a BMI between 18.5 and 25 for those of European descent and for those of Asian descent, a BMI of 18.5 to 23 is normal.(1)
-----
Fat Distribution
In addition to an increase in total body fat, a proportionally greater amount of fat in the abdomen or trunk, compared with fat in the lower extremities or hips, has been associated with increased risk for diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease for both men and women. For people of Asian descent, abdominal (central) obesity is recognized to be a better indicator of future difficulties than BMI. (1)
This abdominal obesity is commonly reported as a waist-to-hip ratio, but it is most easily quantified by a single measurement done at approximately the belly button. Men are considered to have an increased relative risk for coronary artery disease, diabetes, and hypertension if they have a waist circumference of 40 inches (102 cm) or more; whereas women are at increased risk if their waist circumference is 35 inches (88 cm) or more. (1).
Waist:hip ratios are plotted on a graph according to age and sex. The relative risk associated with the ratio is calculated based on the values plotted.
Thus, an overweight person with abnormal fat patterning may be at high risk for these diseases even if that person is not obese by BMI criteria. (1)
-----
Another thing to consider is that if an individual is heavily muscled, their BMI will not be an adequate predictor of health risk. This is why using a variety of measures will give you a better idea of whether or not you are at an increased risk.
-----
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
There are a number of bioelectrical impedance analysis meters on the market. They work on the principle that electrical currents will travel through different tissues at different rates. By sending a small electrical current through your body and measuring the return speed, an approximate measure of body fat is attained.
As electricity will follow the shortest route, if you use a scale bioelectrical impedance analysis instrument, you will have an idea of your lower body fat content. If you use a hand held device, it will give you an idea of upper body fat. Both of these tend to miss measuring core body fat. An instrument that passes current through the core will give you a better idea of core body fat.
Typical normal values are in the range of 10-20% body fat for men and 15-25% body fat for women. (3)
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
In the next issue, we will review some information about exercise and how much should be done, different types of exercises that you might want to try, and strategies to implement exercise into your life.
In future issues we will look at diet, caloric restriction, supplementation, and more.
Until next time…
Yours in Health,
Dr. M. Montgomery @ www.healthyunderstanding.com
References
1. Obesity, Jonathan Q. Purnell, M.D., Medscape.com
2. Overweight Children and Adolescents: Recommendations for Screening, Assessment and Management, Barbara Polhamus, PhD, MPH, RD; Diane Thompson, MPH, RD; Sandra L. Benton-Davis, BS; Christopher M. Reinold, MPH, RD, LD; Comm. Laurence M. Grummer-Strawn, PhD; William Dietz, MD, PhD., Medscape.com
3. University of Michigan Health System (online)
Disclaimer: As always, check with your health care provider to see if this information applies to you. Due diligence is your responsibility. This information is meant to supplement your knowledge, not to replace your own decision making process or take the place of your health care provider.
This is a commercial newsletter provided free by HealthyUnderstanding.com
For weight loss and other health care products go to www.road2health.net and www.road2health1.net for a quick BMI calculation.
This newsletter may be distributed in its entirety without alteration. If you wish to use it in your publication, a copy of your publication would be appreciated. Please send it to DrM@healthyunderstanding.com
371 Kenderdine Rd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3S5
About the Author
Dr. Montgomery is a practising chiropractor in Saskatoon, Sk and is the creator of www.HealthyUnderstanding.com
email this
page
Return to
Nutrition and Supplement Index
Haven't found what you were looking for?
Try this search:
Free Email
List Reveals health,
fitness and wellness tips - secrets and information - delivered
directly to your inbox
How to Benefit from the Mind-Body Connection
(excerpt)
You are about to gain insight into the
mind-body connection. The number of
people who truly understand these principles on our
planet are relatively few.
There is an undeniable connection between our minds and
bodies, you can learn to use this fact to your benefit.
Dr. Bernie Siegel, author of "Love, Medicine and
Miracles" was once a distraught cancer surgeon until he
began to understand the greater principles of the mind-
body connection. He felt dragged down by the artificial
barriers that existed between patient and doctor, and the
helplessness he often felt as a result of his inability
to effectively serve those patients. Eventually, those
barriers were disintegrated by Dr. Siegel's recognition
and growing understanding of the mind-body connection and
how it could serve his patients and himself.
Dr. Siegel, or Bernie as he began to have his patients
refer to him, had some
startling realizations as a cancer surgeon. He found that
there were actually
quite a few people in the world that successfully beat
the statistics on cancer
survival. He began to recognize that a patient's ability
to defeat something as
serious as cancer had to do with the patient's mind and
attitude about their
disease.
If you would like to see the rest of
this article, please go here:
http://www.tobeinformed.com/repository/mind-body.html
copyright 2004 - David Snape
|
|
