Why should I pay attention to overweight and obesity?

Carrying extra weight makes your body work harder, and can interfere with how your body works internally. If you are overweight, you are more likely to have many health problems including:

• Raised blood pressure and stroke
• Raised cholesterol and fat levels in blood (triglyceride) and heart disease
  
• Raised blood glucose levels and diabetes mellitus
• Colon and prostate cancers
• Knee and ankle pain, and osteoarthritis
• Gallstones
• Hernia
• Sexual difficulties
• Varicose veins

Some men are genetically vulnerable of becoming obese, but environment and habits are the biggest influence on your risk of becoming overweight or obese.

What is a healthy weight?

Healthy bodies come in all different shapes and sizes. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a scale that shows you if your weight is in the healthy range. A healthy weight is BMI between 18.5 and 22.9.

Of note is that it also matters where your body stores the excess fat. Researches show that people who have most of their fat stored around their waists/tummies (Apple-shaped) will have a higher risk of having heart disease and diabetes mellitus than those who carry it around their hips (Pear-shaped). To decide if you are an Apple or a Pear, try the simple waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) measurement.

Should I reduce weight?

You should refer to your BMI and WHR to see if you need to lose some weight.

If you are overweight, any level of weight loss will have significant health benefits. Benefits of losing weight include significant decreases in raised blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels, reduced risk of suffering or dying from heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer.

If you are obese and have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, it is wise to have a general check-up and ask your doctor to refer you to other health professionals (e.g. dietitian) for individualized advice and support.

If you are an Apple with a higher WHR, consider talking to a dietitian about making changes to your eating patterns, and talk to a fitness instructor about increasing your level of activity.

If you are a Pear with a healthy weight, you can focus on maintaining a balanced diet, being active and feeling good about yourself.