About this topic
The right weight for you depends on a few things. Doctors use a method called BMI or body mass index. The doctor will use this tool to learn more about your risk of having health problems. ‚
BMI does not include things like your habits, where you live, family history, or amount of body fat. Some people with a normal BMI are still not healthy. Other people with a high BMI may be healthy. Most of the time, a person with a higher BMI is less healthy and will need more care. Ask your doctor for their view of your total health during a well visit or physical. ‚
Being overweight or having a high BMI can hurt many parts of your body. Learn about your BMI and how your weight changes your health risks. Then you can make changes to keep yourself as healthy as you can. ‚
General
Being overweight can be very harmful to your body. It can cause many illnesses and can affect how you move about. ‚
Weight and Blood Sugar ‚
You have a greater chance of having high blood sugar or diabetes if you are overweight. ‚
- The cells in your body may not be able to use insulin. Then your cells cannot get the sugar from your bloodstream that they need for energy. Your pancreas has to work extra hard to try and make enough insulin to keep your blood sugar healthy.
- If you lose weight and exercise, your body is able to control your sugar levels better. You may not need as much insulin to keep your sugar levels healthy.
Weight and Your Heart ‚
Being overweight makes your heart work harder. There are many problems that can affect your heart. ‚
- The blood vessels that bring blood to your heart muscle may become narrow or blocked and cause a heart attack or your heart may not pump as well as it should. Your heart rate may not be normal.
- Losing weight can lower your chances of having problems with your heart.
Weight and High Blood Pressure ‚
Your heart has to work harder to pump blood through a larger body and to make sure all of your cells have the oxygen they need. ‚
- As your heart has to work harder, your blood pressure goes up.
- Being overweight can also harm your kidneys and this may also raise your blood pressure.
- You may be able to lower your blood pressure through weight loss and routine exercise.
Weight and Stroke ‚
Strokes are more likely to happen when someone has high blood pressure, heart problems, high blood sugar, or high cholesterol. ‚
- Being overweight puts you at a higher risk for all of these problems. These problems put you at a higher risk for having a stroke.
- Losing weight may help lower your blood pressure, which is the biggest risk factor for a stroke. It also helps lower the other risk factors.
Weight and Cholesterol ‚
Your cholesterol level is likely to be higher if you are overweight. ‚
- This can lead to narrowing of the blood vessels in your heart, neck, or other parts of your body. Then you may have chest pain or signs of low blood flow to a certain area. It can also lead to a heart attack or stroke.
- Lowering your weight and changing what you eat may change your cholesterol levels.
Weight and Your Liver and Kidneys ‚
You are more likely to have certain problems with your liver or kidneys if you are overweight. ‚
- Fatty liver disease is caused by a buildup of fat in your liver. Then your liver may not work as well as it should.
- You are at a higher risk for diabetes and high blood sugar if you are overweight. Both of these illnesses can cause kidney problems.
- There is no exact way to treat fatty liver disease. By losing weight, you may keep your liver from getting any worse and help your liver work better.
- By losing weight, you lower your chance of having kidney problems. If you already have kidney problems, weight loss may help keep your disease from getting worse.
Weight and Bone and Joint Problems ‚
Being overweight can put a lot of stress on your joints. ‚
- The extra weight may make the cartilage wear away more quickly from your bones. Your cartilage lines the surfaces of your bones to help your joints glide more easily.
- When your cartilage is worn, your joints become stiff and sore.
- Losing weight and exercising is one of the best ways to treat joint pain and stiffness. It can also ease the stress on your hips, knees, and back.
Weight and Cancer Risk ‚
- Gaining weight and poor health habits raise your risk for some kinds of cancer.
- Healthy eating and exercise may lower your risk for some kinds of cancer.
Weight and Sleep ‚
If you are overweight, you may have extra fat around your neck. This can make your airway smaller and put you at risk for sleep apnea. ‚
- Problems with sleep apnea can lead to snoring, feeling sleepy during the day, problems with focusing, and heart problems.
- Losing weight can lower the amount of fat around your neck and ease sleep apnea problems.
Weight and Pregnancy ‚
Your weight can affect how often you have a period. It may also make it harder for you to get pregnant. Being overweight can cause problems for both mom and baby. ‚
- If you are overweight and pregnant you are at a higher risk for high blood sugar or high blood pressure while you are pregnant.
- You are also more likely to have your baby early or to need a C section.
- Losing weight before you become pregnant may lower your chance for these problems. If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor before you try to lose weight.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/effects/index.html?s_cid=tw_ob245 ‚
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/obe/risks.html ‚
Weight Control Information Network ‚
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/health_risks.htm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚