Being overweight or obese can affect nearly every part of the body. It can increase the risk of coronary heart disease, type II diabetes, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, gall stones, degenerative joint disease and obstructive sleep apnoea.

Health+Diabetes has 12 years experience in obesity management and runs its own weight loss programme called Liter Living™

Statistics

Latest statistics prove that obesity is increasing and 24% of both men and women are obese (BMI 30 or more). If the current trend continues, nearly half of the population will be obese by the year 2010.

An even more concerning trend is that there has also been a marked increase in obesity amongst children. Approximately 1 in 5 children are now overweight and 1 in 10 is obese.

Assessment of Obesity

Body Mass Index (BMI)** is a measure of risk of total body fat by relating an individual's height to their weight. It is calculated by:

BMI = Weight (kg)
Ht (m)2

• 18.4 or less - underweight
• 18.5 - 24.9 - ideal weight for height
• 25 - 29.9 - overweight
• 30 - 39.9 - obese
• 40 or more - very obese

Interpretation of BMI is limited because factors such as body frame, proportion of lean mass (for those with a muscular physique), gender and age are not taken into account. It also does not take account of the distribution of fat.

Waist measurement

This gives a better indication of an individual's risk. Carrying excess weight particularly around the midriff increases risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure and type II diabetes. This distribution is generally described as the ‘apple' shape, where fat is laid down around the waist and the abdomen. It is more common in men than women. Women tend to lay down fat more in a ‘pear' shape, around the hips and bottom, and this is a less risky pattern of distribution . After the menopause, however, when the protective effect of oestrogen is no longer present, women tend to develop more of an apple shape and their risk of disease is increased to match the male level.

To take a waist measurement:

Measure around your middle with a tape measure at the mid point between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips.

• If you are at increased risk, you will need to adjust your diet and levels of physical activity in order to lose weight and inches.
• If you are at high risk, then losing just 10% of your body weight and maintaining that will give you significant health benefits.

Body Composition Analysis

HEalth+Diabetes also offers body composition analysis, using the latest technology, to give an even higher level of information about fat and muscle distribution, including an assessment of visceral fat. Visceral fat surrounds vital organs in the abdominal cavity and high levels of are associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes and type II diabetes. It is also linked with insulin resistance and high blood cholesterol. Reducing visceral fat through increased levels of physical activity can improve the action of insulin in the body.