7 questions that can help you decide.
A study published in the April 20 issue ofThe Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that people whose BMIs put them into the overweight category actually had a lower risk of death than people in the normal-weight group. (People who were considered obese still had an increased risk of death.)"When we looked at the overweight group … we found that that group was associated with fewer than the expected number of deaths," says study author David F. Williamson, PhD, senior epidemiologist at the Diabetes Division of the CDC. Does that mean that if you're overweight, but not obese, you should quit worrying about dropping the extra pounds? Experts who spoke to WebMD gave us some answers -- along with seven questions you should ask yourself.
- What is your lifestyle? Regular physical activity and healthy eating are important, no matter what your weight or your BMI.
- What is your family history? If a close relative has a history of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or other weight-related ailment, it's crucial to be mindful of your weight.
- What is your weight history? People who have consistently gained weight over the years need be careful. Experts say your BMI should not increase dramatically, even as you age. Even moderate weight gain in adulthood can increase your risk of diabetes.
- How is your weight distributed? Weight gained above the hips -- the so-called "apple" shape -- can be problematic. In both men and women, bigger abdomens can signal trouble.
- What is your waist size? The National Institutes of Health has determined that a waist circumference of over 40 inches in men and over 35 inches in women signifies a health risk, particularly in people with BMIs of 25-34.9 (the overweight category). Clothing size is not a good indicator of weight or health, since sizes vary with different manufacturers. But you can use your own clothing -- maybe a favorite pair of pants -- as a personal gauge of your weight.
- What is your health profile? If your cholesterol and blood pressure levels are high and your BMI falls into the overweight or obese category, it's important to lose weight. If your BMI is in the high end of healthy or in the low overweight range, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about whether weight loss is right for you.
- How do you feel? Seriously consider weight loss if you are overweight and have joint problems, shortness of breath, or other health troubles that limit your day-to-day living.
The Body Mass Index
To understand the issue of weight and wellness, you first need to know your BMI, the common measure of fatness that is at the heart of the debate. To find your BMI, use a BMI calculator. A BMI of:
- 18.5 or less is considered underweight
- 18.5-24.9 is considered ideal weight
- 25-29.9 is considered overweight
- 30 or higher is considered obese
"This overweight category of body mass index of 25 to 29.9 is a phony category. It doesn't have medical justification," says Paul Campos, JD, a law professor and author of The Diet Myth: Why America's Obsession with Weight Is Hazardous to Your Health.
Campos says the BMI was developed as a statistical sorting tool for researchers and was never meant as a gauge for weight loss.
Weight and Health
How does weight affect health? If you fall into the obese category, the evidence is pretty clear.
But even people who are obese may not need to drop much weight to improve their health.
"You don't need to lose a lot of weight in order to be healthier," says Cathy Nonas, RD, spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. Whether you weigh 200 pounds or 400, "the first 10% of weight that you lose - that's the most significant improvement in your health profile that you're going to see," she says.
The Medical University of South Carolina Weight Management Center also recommends an initial loss of 10% of body weight, O'Neil says. "We know that's an amount of weight loss that can be achieved by most people."
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