OBESITY: Know the scales of obesity

1 in every 6 people is obese and nearly 2.8 million deaths have been reported due to obesity globally.

With about 14.4 million obese children, India is the world's second-largest obesity country, after China.

Obesity further increases the risk of Heart attack, hypertension, certain types of cancer, paralysis, etc.

According to a study, obese people have 55% higher risk of developing depression and other mental health conditions like bipolar disorder and panic disorder. About 43 % of adult population with depression are obese.

Obesity is a deep-seated condition but it can be managed and the risks of obesity can be reduced by adopting healthy lifestyle changes.

How does Obesity damage your health and body?

• Type 2 diabetes - Obesity causes increased levels of fatty acids and inflammation, which leads to insulin resistance, which is a risk factor of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
• Heart disease - Obese people have 28% increased risk of heart disease when compared with people of healthy weight.
• Stroke - Obesity also leads to metabolic syndrome marked by high cholesterol, high blood sugar, etc. Over time, these conditions harm the blood vessels of the brain and the heart and increase the risk of stroke.
• High blood pressure (hypertension)- Increased weight can raise your BP levels. In fact, being obese can make you more likely to develop Blood Pressure than people at normal weight.
• Osteoarthritis- Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is about twice as common among obese people as it is in leaner people.

 According to studies India ranks 3rd in Global Obesity Index. Having a risk factor like obesity might increase your chances of developing one or more of these health risks. Knowing your BMI can help you determine any health risks that you might be developing or facing.

There are 4 scales of obesity by which we can find out that our weight has increased.

First of all, the question arises: how to know that we are overweight?

1. BMI (body mass index)

It indicates whether we are in the normal range or not according to height & weight.

By checking BMI, we can set a target for how much weight we have to lose. To know the BMI, the ratio of weight and length is calculated. BMI = kg/m2, it should not be less than 18.5 and not more than 25. If the BMI is less than 18.5 it means underweight, between 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal, 25 to 29.9 is overweight and 30 to 34.9 is Obesity.

If you are overweight and there is fat around your belly then you are at increased risk of hypertension, diabetes & heart diseases.

2. Fats on belly or hip

Some people may have fat on their stomach or waist. Women's hips can be heavy. For this, see the ratio of waist and hips. Stand straight with both feet together and exhale. Now take the measuring tape from behind the waist, bring it forward till above the navel. Note this measurement. Now measure the hips in the same way. Now divide both the numbers together. The waist to hips ratio should be 0.80 in women and 0.85 or less in men. The waist of women should be less than 31.5 inches and that of men should be less than 37 inches.

Generally, the shape of women is found to be pear-shaped. If the fat is so much that if there is a problem in walking, then the weight is more. On the other hand, men get an apple-like shape that looks like a tummy.

3. Body Composition Analysis

A body composition analysis test can be done for where and how much fat is deposited in the body. The fee for the test can be around Rs.1000. The scan is done standing barefoot on the machine. This shows the weight of fat, muscle, and bones in the body.

We recommend getting a Smart BMI Weighing Scale that not only shows your weight but also other essential body compositions. EASYCARE offers smart weighing scales that are equipped with high precision G-sensors to provide accurate & reliable measurements.

4. Body Weight Distribution

It is also possible that someone is overweight as per BMI but not obese. A wrestler or a sports person can fall under this category. Their unique body weight is perfect in every part of the body, it could be their muscle mass.

The Bottom Line

It is advisable for obese people to move into the healthy BMI range to prevent the hazards of Obesity.

Maintaining a healthy BMI is important for your overall health and it is crucial to avoid dreadful diseases associated with obesity.

Obesity is a global crisis and everybody needs to act before it affects us all.

If you are an overweight person, you may have set a weight loss goal & to reach this goal faster you must buy the EASYCARE Smart Bluetooth BMI scale & monitor your progress. It is an ingenious device with advanced Bioelectric Impedance Analysis (BIA) technology to assess & estimate body composition with 4 high precision G sensors for accuracy in measurements.