Obesity & Body Mass Index (BMI)

Obesity has such a negative connotation, but I guess it should.
Before I started on my fitness plan last year, I'm not sure if I would have called myself OBESE - overweight sure, extremely overweight maybe, but not OBESE.
Well after 8 months of this, I've learned that not only was I the definition of obese, I was morbidly obese.
BMI is considered by some to be an 'outdated' scale, however I now think differently. When I first started I put it in my goal plans, but then I heard such negative information on it that I removed it. After more research, I put it back into my plan and think it is a valuable health assessment tool. Many doctors, including mine, use it as a means to evaluate their patients.
The basics is this, it classifies each individual based on height into one of these categories:
1) Underweight BMI = less than 19
2) Healthy BMI = 19 to 24.9
3) Overweight BMI = 25 to 29.9 Increased risk for medical problems
4) Obese Class 1 BMI = 30 to 34.9 Moderately Obese - high risk
5) Obese Class 2 BMI = 35 to 39.9 Severely obese
6) Obese Class 3 BMI = 40 to 44.9 Morbidly obese - extremely high risk
7) Obese Class 4 BMI = greater than 45 Super obese

If you don't know your BMI, you can calculate it here on MFP:
Go to the main menu, select Apps, and then BMI or
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmi-calculator

Instead of getting myself down about such a negative label, I choose to use it as motivation to turn my fitness around. So while I'm still considered obese, I moved down from Class 3 to Class 1 and I'm currently 23 pounds from the overweight category and 60 pounds from healthy.

Obesity is a very serious crisis infecting our country and the better educated we all become on what it is and how to prevent it in ourselves and our children, the stronger we will be.

Here are some resources if you want to learn more:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/basics/definition/con-20014834

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_mass_index

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

Yes, mine was 44.1 when I started and now it's 33.0 so we are right about the same place.

Cholesterol

The screening test that is usually performed is a blood test called a lipid profile. Experts recommend that men ages 35 and older and women ages 45 and older be more frequently screened for lipid disorders. The lipoprotein profile includes:

Total blood (or serum) cholesterol
Your total cholesterol score is calculated using the following equation: HDL + LDL + 20 percent of your triglyceride level. A total cholesterol score of less than 180 mg/dL is considered optimal.

HDL (good) cholesterol
With HDL cholesterol, higher levels are better. Low HDL cholesterol puts you at higher risk for heart disease. People with high blood triglycerides usually also have lower HDL cholesterol. Genetic factors, type 2 diabetes, and certain drugs, such as beta-blockers and anabolic steroids, also lower HDL cholesterol levels. Smoking, being overweight and being sedentary can all result in lower HDL cholesterol.

LDL (bad) cholesterol
A low LDL cholesterol level is considered good for your heart health. However, your LDL number should no longer be the main factor in guiding treatment to prevent heart attack and stroke, according to new guidelines from the American Heart Association. For patients taking statins, the guidelines say they no longer need to get LDL cholesterol levels down to a specific target number. A diet high in saturated and trans fats raises LDL cholesterol.

Triglycerides
Triglyceride is the most common type of fat in the body. Normal triglyceride levels vary by age and sex. A high triglyceride level combined with low HDL cholesterol or high LDL cholesterol is associated with atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty deposits in artery walls that increases the risk for heart attack and stroke


Results of your blood test will come in the forms of numbers. Here is how to interpret your cholesterol numbers. The first thing you need to know is that the numbers by themselves are not enough to predict your risk of heart problems or to determine what you need to do to lower that risk. They are, instead, one part of a larger equation that includes your age, your blood pressure, your smoking status, and your use of blood pressure medicines. Your doctor will use this information to calculate your 10-year risk for serious heart problems. Then the two of you will develop a strategy for reducing that risk.

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/What-Your-Cholesterol-Levels-Mean_UCM_305562_Article.jsp

http://www.mayoclinic.org/vid-20078243

http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/guide/understanding-numbers

marekdds wrote: »

Apparently my BMI is 21, so ok. Before I started, My cholesterol was pretty high, well over 200, with better diet and exercise it is 166. I also have Hashimoto's disease. My thyroid is pretty well shot. I take meds for it, before it was discovered losing weight was a nightmare. Now while not easy, it is doable.

I hope your sister does well. I have a couple relative and numerous patients that have had different bariatric surgeries. Most didn't learn to eat properly and have gained most or all of what they lost back. A few others. who did their homework are doing brilliantly.

Wow a BMI of 21 awesome! What is Hashimoto's disease, I've never heard of it?

My sister is doing pretty good so far. However I am truly concerned if she is mentally committed, has realistic expectations and a longterm understanding of the path she's taking. That type of surgery is certainly not something I would choose, but we all need to find our own path.