Women and Obesity/Overweight
Too much body fat, especially if most of it is around the waist, increases the risk of developing heart disease and stroke. For adults, the body mass index (BMI) is a number that is used to define who is obese. The BMI is calculated using a person's weight and height. Higher BMI may indicate higher risk for obesity-related disease.
| Calculate Your Body Mass Index (BMI) | |
The BMI associated with the weight category is as follows:
- BMI below 18.5 - underweight
- BMI 18.5-24.9 - normal
- BMI 25-29.9 - overweight
- BMI over 30 - obese
Too much fat increases the risk of heart disease because it increases how hard the heart has to work and increases the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Many women become overweight after reaching menopause. This is because many women become less active as they get older. Women can maintain a normal weight by eating a low fat diet that is high in fiber and exercising at least 30 minutes daily. A proper diet and an exercise program should be continued throughout a woman's life, even after she reaches menopause. Diet and exercise are key to weight loss. You need to lower your total calorie intake by 500 calories per day to have a one pound weight loss per week. A comprehensive weight management program is available through the Wellness Institute.
Review Date: 08/06
