Weight and its impact on your health

Our body weight is one of many important factors that are strongly correlated with the risk of chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. The body mass index (BMI) is an individual’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters. Although an imperfect measure of weight, it is one of many measures we as physicians use to determine a healthy weight in our patients. A BMI less than 18.5 kg/m² is considered underweight; between 18.5 and 25 kg/m² is considered a normal weight; between 25 and 30 kg/m² is considered overweight; and BMI >30 kg/m² is considered obese. Alternatively, for those individuals with higher muscle mass with a lower amount of fat and therefore a higher BMI, the waist circumference is used as a screening tool to estimate the amount of body fat. This is a better indicator of health compared to the BMI in these patients.

One study(1) found that compared to normal-weight individuals that those individuals that are overweight or obese have a higher risk of coronary heart disease. Another study (2) found that normal-weight individuals even with a family history of type 2 diabetes were less likely to develop the disease compared to the overweight or obese with a family history. Another consequence of an increase in weight is the enlargement of the tissue in the back of the throat that can block the airway while you sleep and stop breathing. This is known as sleep apnea, and weight loss can help prevent this obstructive sleep disorder that causes an increased risk of heart disease and metabolic issues. 

The good news is that even losing 5 pounds can improve your health, and it is often a great initial short-term goal. When you are at a healthy weight, you will have more energy and mental clarity. You are able to enjoy your life with less joint pain. Having 5 extra pounds of weight can add 20 pounds of extra pressure on your hips, knees, and ankles leading to osteoarthritis. As a type 2 diabetic, losing 10 pounds could help you control your blood glucose levels and begin the process of decreasing the dosage and amount of oral medications that you need to be on. Patients with high cholesterol and triglycerides can enjoy the benefits of lowering these numbers by losing 5 to 10 pounds and therefore lowering their overall risk of stroke and heart disease. Similarly, patients with hypertension, or high blood pressure, can see a decrease in their blood pressure levels and need for their medications with the same 5 to 10-pound weight loss.

Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important factors to preventing chronic illnesses such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Initially, losing about 10 percent of body weight within a 6 to 12-month period is a great first step toward a healthy lifestyle. A gradual and moderate weight is healthier and more sustainable than a dramatic loss.  The BMI range for normal weight is a great guideline for a goal weight range. From diet modifications to exercise regimens as well as medications and surgical procedures to aid in weight loss, there are many ways to achieve a long-term goal of maintaining a healthy weight. Check out our blog for more information about each of these strategies in order to help decrease your risk of the long-term illnesses associated with excess weight.

Written by Anna Askari, MD, MSBS

Refernces

(1) https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/39/5/397/4081012?login=true

(2) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-020-05140-5