Obesity Prevention

Obesity is quickly becoming one of today's most common diseases. While to many it may not normally be considered to be altogether dangerous, in reality some of the health risks can be very hazardous. There is a reason it's considered a disease and that's because the excess weight has been known to wear down and put stress on many internal organs, joints, and cause other health-related problems, even psychological ones. So, while we now know that obesity can indeed be dangerous, what can we do to prevent it?

BMI

The first thing we should seek to understand is BMI. Since the term "obese" is directly related to our BMI, it is fundamental that we know how to calculate BMI and understand what qualifies as a healthy 'BMI'.

BMI, or "body mass index," is the formula we use to find out the ratio between your weight and your height. In order to find out what your BMI is, first find your weight, in pounds, and your height, in inches. If using pounds and inches, use the following formula to find your BMI: lbs/inches2 * 704.5. In other words, your BMI is the number of pounds divided by the number of inches squared times 704.5. Or, if using kilograms and meters, divide the weight in kilograms by the square of the person's height in meters and you have your answer.

If the number you calculated is under 25, then you are generally considered to have a healthy BMI. If your BMI is between 25 and 29, then you are overweight and potentially on your way to becoming obese, if you don't start living a healthier life. If above 30, then you are typically classified as obese.

If you are overweight, or even if your BMI isn't high enough to be classified as overweight or obese, it's a good idea to take a few preventative measures. What are these?

Healthy Diet

The first thing that anyone should consider is to maintain a healthy diet. Since obesity is directly linked with the amount of fat in our body, controlling the amount of food we take in and the kinds of food we eat is vitally important in keeping a healthy body. By drinking enough water, having a moderate variety of healthy foods, and getting enough vitamins, we can be sure to take the first step in preventing obesity.

Exercise

The second very important key to consider in preventing obesity is exercise. Inactivity is one of the leading causes of obesity in children and adults, so by keeping active at least a little a day, no matter our schedule, we can greatly reduce our risk of obesity.

Sleep

While you might not guess just how much sleep can do for you, sleep is very important in maintaining a healthy body. There is even research that has been done to show that you burn calories while you sleep! So by getting an adequate amount of sleep, you lower your risks greatly.

Ask Your Doctor

Since obesity can be caused by many factors, it's important to ask your doctor what he or she would recommend to prevent obesity. By doing this, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, and getting adequate sleep, you can almost guarantee that your risk for obesity will be eliminated and that you will live a much longer, healthier life.

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