Let me start by thanking everyone that read and commented on my blog post yesterday. Yesterday’s post about the plus size models caused quite an uproar. Weight and size is a very touchy subject all over the world. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the United States or Nigeria. The United Kingdom or India. No matter where we are, we want to be seen as attractive by the opposite sex…or same sex, depending on what you like. Therefore, when someone, such as myself makes a comment about about a certain group, there will be major hurt feelings.
Be that as it may, the truth hurts. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the facts are exactly that, facts. Shooting the messenger does not make the truth go away. My blog yesterday was not about what I personally find attractive or not. Some people like big beautiful women (BBW), some do not. It is strictly about health. The health of our people. This is not a joke. Many of the coments mentioned the Thyroid as the culprit for weight gain. Even though there is some truth to this, studies on people with Thyroid conditions showed a 5-6 pound weight gain in women, and 3-4 pound weight gain in men over a three-and-a-half year follow up. They did not gain 50 pounds or more! Recently, I have seen young people with all kinds of heart diseases, that in the past were common only in much older people. By young, I mean under 20 years old!! The good news here is that by losing some weight, even if it is a little bit of weight, we will all become helthier.
Cardiovascular disease risk increases due to overweight elevating blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and increasing insulin resistance. The location of excess body fat can further increase CVD risk. Central obesity for example, is directly associated with an increased risk of heart disease. A 20% reduction in body weight can reduce CVD risk by 40%. This can be achieved by keeping BMI in the normal range. Over 50% of all cases of hypertension are simply due to being overweight.
The incidence of diabetes increases with increasing weight. Diabetes is three times more likely in obese individuals with a BMI of 28 or greater.
Osteoarthritis symptoms are worse in men and women with a BMI over 25. Excess body weight stresses joint cartilage.
Cancer risk can increase due to elevated hormones associated with obesity, influencing cancer development. Excess estrogen is linked with reproductive system cancers. Adipose tissue (fat tissue) is a major site of estrogen synthesis in women. Scientists link a BMI of 28 to 30 with an increase in cancer risk.
Other diseases associated with obesity include sleep apnea, abdominal hernias, varicose veins, gout, gall bladder disease, respiratory problems including pickwickian syndrome (a breathing blockage linked with sudden death), and liver malfunction.
Massive obesity, indicated by a BMI over 40, is so closely associated with health problems that it is regarded as a disease in its own right
Assessment of weight and health risk involves using three key measures:
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Waist circumference
Body Mass Index (BMI)
BMI is a useful measure of overweight and obesity. It is calculated from your height and weight. BMI is an estimate of body fat and a good gauge of your risk for diseases that can occur with more body fat. The higher your BMI, the higher your risk for certain diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers.
Although BMI can be used for most men and women, it does have some limits:
- It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build.
- It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle.
Use the BMI Calculator or BMI Tables to estimate your body fat. The BMI score means the following:
| BMI | |
|---|---|
| Underweight |
Below 18.5
|
| Normal |
18.5–24.9
|
| Overweight |
25.0–29.9
|
| Obesity |
30.0 and Above
|
Waist Circumference
Measuring waist circumference helps screen for possible health risks that come with overweight and obesity. If most of your fat is around your waist rather than at your hips, you’re at a higher risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. This risk goes up with a waist size that is greater than 35 inches for women or greater than 40 inches for men. To correctly measure your waist, stand and place a tape measure around your middle, just above your hipbones. Measure your waist just after you breathe out.
The reason I write this is because I want people to stand up and do something about our health as a people. I have never believed in making excuses for my shortcoming, and believe me, I have several. The human being is supposed to grow and learning to take care of ourselves is a part of growth. Take a step today
By
Ngo Okafor
The most downloaded black male model
Nigerian american black male model photo gallery and blog
