Before You Join a Weight Loss Program, Read This!

1. How do I Calculate BMI?

BMI means Body Mass Index. The value is associated with body fat and health risks.

Healthy weight is defined as a BMI equal to or greater than 19 and less than 25 among all people aged 20 or over. Between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight; over 30 is the beginning of obesity.

To calculate your body mass index, you should know your weight in pounds and your height in inches. The formula is: weight/Height/Height. In words, divide your weight by height and divide your answer by your height again. If your answer is between 19 and 25, you are okay but if it is over 25, then you are already overweight. Obesity starts from a BMI of 30.  

2. Carbs, Proteins and Fats- a Brake Down!

Carbohydrate is broken down to glucose which goes into body cells to be converted to energy. Carbohydrate is the class of food that is broken down to glucose that gives energy to the body. There are two types of carbohydrates. They are simple and complex carbohydrate.

Simple carbohydrates are glucose. It is also known as simple sugar. Complex carbohydrates can also be referred to as starch. It is made up of chains of glucose molecules, which is the way plants store glucose. Starches can be found in great quantities in most grains like wheat, corn, oats, rice and foods like potatoes and plantains. The starch is eventually converted into glucose molecules before being moved into the bloodstream. The main function of carbohydrate is to provide the body with energy.

Protein is another important class of food. Its main responsibility is to provide the cells with the essentials building materials. These cells need these materials to maintain their structures and grow. Protein can be gotten from animals and vegetables. For animal sources, protein is gotten mostly from meat, milk and eggs.  The protein gotten from these foods is called “complete protein” because it contains all the essential amino acids.

Fats are very important too. Different food items contain fats in different amount. Diary products like cream, mayonnaise, oils and butter all have high fat content. There are basically two main types of fats. They are saturated and unsaturated fats.  There are certain important fat-soluble vitamins that can be gotten only from food. Fat is a bigger source of energy than both carbohydrate and protein.

3. What Other Nutrients does my body need?

The body also needs a lot of vitamins and minerals which can be found in foods and fruits. Different vitamin and minerals have been manufactured because most of the western diets have been found to be deficient in necessary vitamins and minerals.

4. Are there Dangers in Being Overweight?

In reality, the dangers of being overweight are infinite. The worst part is that most of these dangers are health related. Being overweight can lead to obesity. Obesity has been linked to so many diseases. Some of them can reduce your lifespan while some of them can increase your chances of being disabled. Some of the diseases linked to obesity are diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, gall bladder disease, gout… etc