Weight and Health Profile

High blood pressure, several diseases like Type 2 diabetes and coronary artery complications are some of the many fallouts of being overweight and obese. The circumference of your waist and most vitally, your body mass index are dead giveaways when it comes to knowing the amount of body fat you have, and the health risks you might run into because of it. BMI is mostly a very reliable way of estimating body fat, especially for people between the ages of 19 and 50. Exceptions are those women who are pregnant and breast feeding, bodybuilders, athletes and patients. The health risks deepen with the BMI count, and also with waist size. Sizes greater than 40 inches for men and 35 for women can be proved to be serious and harmful. There are some other ways of estimating body fat other than BMI and waist size, which your doctor can help you with. Your BMI can be determined by using a chart found at health care centers everywhere.

The following is a sample of weight and health profile from “National Institutes of Health

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute” Nat

Your Weight and Health Profile

Name ______________________________________________________________ Date _______________________

Age __________Gender _______________Height _______________Weight _____________________

Your Body Mass Index (BMI) ____________________

Your BMI Classification ________________________

■ Underweight (BMI less than18.5)

■ Normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9)

■ Overweight (BMI 25–29.9)

■ Obesity I (BMI 30–34.9)

■ Obesity II (BMI 35–39.9)

■ Extreme Obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 40)

Your Current Health Conditions that place you at very high risk: (check all that apply)

■ Coronary heart disease (CHD)

■ Other atherosclerotic diseases (peripheral vascular disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, or symptomatic carotid

artery disease

■ Type 2 diabetes

■ Sleep apnea

Note: Other conditions such as osteoarthritis, gallstones, and gynecological abnormalities also increase health risk.

Your Risk Factors associated with overweight or obesity: (check all that apply)

■ High blood pressure (hypertension)

■ High LDL cholesterol

■ Low HDL cholesterol

■ High blood sugar

■ Age greater than 45 years for men; greater than 55 years for women

Your Disease Risk:

Based on your BMI, waist circumference, current disease, and risk factors, your risk for premature death or developing

heart disease, diabetes, or other conditions is:

■ Low ■ Increased ■ High ■ Very High ■ Extremely High

Your Level of Readiness for weight loss:

■ Not ready ■ Ambivalent ■ Ready to take action

Your Prescription:

■ Weight loss (needed if you’re obese; or overweight with a high waist circumference and have two or more risk

factors). Only for people who are ready to take action.

■ Weight maintenance/Prevent further weight gain (recommended if you’re overweight, don’t have a high waist

circumference, and have less than 2 risk factors)

Your Weight Loss Goals: (if applicable)

Goal Weight: ___________ (a weight loss of 5-10 percent of initial weight is recommended)

Goal Date: ____________ (a weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week is recommended)

Your Plan:

■ Lifestyle Therapy (diet, physical activity, and behavior therapy recommended for 6 months)

■ Weight Loss Drugs (an option if weight loss of 1 lb./week is not achieved after 6 months of lifestyle therapy)

■ Surgery (an option with severe obesity and other diseases when lifestyle therapy and/or weight loss

drugs have failed)

Keep in constant touch with your doctor to be aware of the many health risks, and come to a suitable health losing method for you. Ask your doctor what sort of diet could be suitable for you: a moderate one, which is usually 1200 calories for women and 1400 for men, or other diets that you need to be aware of, and which your doctor can help you with. Also, understand clearly what side effects can take place, and what other medications are available, and also about diet supplements. Keep him updated about any changes that you may feel during or after the completion of the medication.

Choose a treatment center which is close to where you live or work, is accessible and has appointment times which are suitable for you. Be aware of the institution or the health care center, and its qualifications and certifications. Also, know about the costs of the various aspects of your treatment, be it the membership, the foods, the dietary supplements or the tests that you may undergo. Get yourself a price list, as it will be helpful in this context.

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