This is often a sensitive topic for many people, and with the current climate around social media, photoshop, celebrities and body image, it is easy to understand why.
But, overweight and obesity presents a significant health concern for many Australian's. Ultimately, overweight and obesity is caused by excess energy from daily intake (food) that is greater than energy expenditure (movement), which over time leads to weight gain. And whilst this is the simple part, there are many factors that can influence this equation including:
- Genetics (dysmorphic syndromes such as Prader-Willi, Cohen's, Carpenter's, Ahlstrom's, Laurence-Moon-Biedl; Leptin/Receptor mutation; over-expression of NPY)
- Environment (increased availability of food, sedentary lifestyle, hypothalamic injury, endocrine disorders, drugs)
- Behaviour
- Psychological
- Medications
- Some endocrine disorders
What is BMI?
Body mass index calculates you weight and height to determine what your ideal weight range should be. This is NOT ALWAYS ACCURATE - for instance, some athletic people who have a higher body mass due to muscle will present as overweight. This is to act as a guide only.
|
BMI (kg/m2) | Risk of Comorbidities | |
Healthy weight | 18.5-24.9 | Normal |
Overweight | 25.0-29.9 | Increased |
Obese class I | 30.0-34.9 | High |
Obese class II | 34.9-39.9 | Very High |
Obese class III | ³40.0 | Extremely High |
How can exercise help?
Exercise Physiologists are listed as the FIRST LINE TREATMENT professional for exercise advice.
Exercise for weight loss can help protect lean muscle mass, improve long term weight maintenance and may facilitate fat mass loss.
Exercise physiologists use exercise “therapy” to improve
- Clinical status; so your heart and metabolic health (reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes status, fatty liver)
- Functional status ; so your fitness and strength
- Quality of life; so you can live happier and longer
Through an effective and appropriate exercise program we can reduce, manage lifestyle related disease and all cause mortality as well as improve functional capacity, fitness and reduce disability. These programs can be used then in concert with a personal trainer.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Exercise Physiologist on 95801985.