Most people are afraid of overweight. The latest research will tell you how to monitor yourself, to keep track of your developement.
A few extra pounds on the ribs? Oh, is not that bad – being fat is still healthier than being an unfit skinny person, right?
No, unfortunately not.
Recent research at the University College London by Camille Lassale, confirms the theory that overweight individuals have a higher of risk of living with a higher blood pressure, a higher blood sugar and cholesterol levels. The study compared 7000 people, which either suffered from a heart disease or were healthy individuals. The study showed that blood pressure and blood levels are important and meaningful parameters for tracking one’s own health.
By increasing our weight, the metabolism suffers and will be frequently required to do more work.
The assumption of the researchers was: The concept of the healthy overweight is no longer valid!
Anyway, if you want to know if you are overweight, you should not go for the feeling, but use reputable measuring methods. It’s even better, you combine three methods: Then you know exactly whether you are overweight or not!
The Body Mass Index:
Was long considered the measurement, when trying to find out if you are overweight. It categories you in underweight, normal and overweight and obesity. The formula for calculating the body mass index is as follows: Body weight in kilograms, divided by body size in meters squared.
Obesity starts at a value of over 25. For values over 30 you are considered to be obese. But the problem with the BMI is that the index does not distinguish between fat and muscle mass, so that a well-trained athlete could land in the overweight range, although he is fit and extremely muscular. Calculate yourself!
Therefore other factors must be consulted:
Body fat percentage:
The percentage of body fat says something about the distribution of fat and muscle mass.
The value can be a good supplement to the BMI and goes beyond the mere determination of obesity.
There are various methods of measurement – such as the Caliper method, which measures the thickness of the fat traps at different parts of the body with a type of pliers. Or the impedance measurement: A weak current is sent through the body and an analysis of the tissue is made on the basis of the resistance to the current. The impedance measurement additionally provides information about the water content of the body. Both should be done best by the doctor.
Personal body fat scales can also provide a clue and, above all, document a development in diet or exercise. However, they often only measure the upper or lower body.
Bad fat is the abdominal fat in particular as it bears the main culpability of diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure or metabolic disorders and even cancer.
Measurement of stomach:
For men, an increased risk begins at a circumference of 94 centimeters, from 102cm the risk is significantly increased.
To measure simply put a tape measure around the belly button. It’s best to measure in the morning before breakfast and exhale lightly.
