Why healthy weight matters

Attaining and maintaining a healthy weight is important to our overall health. It can help us prevent and control many diseases and conditions. If one is underweight or overweight, one is at a higher risk of developing serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers. That is why maintaining a healthy weight is so important. It helps us lower the risks of developing the above problems, helps us feel good about ourselves, and gives us more energy to enjoy life.
The ultimate weight-loss goal is health. Healthy weight makes one feel better physically and emotionally, allowing a better chance of averting diseases, and even living longer. In the recent decades, weight has fast been becoming an extremely major issue not only among the general people, but also in the areas of healthcare, the media, showbiz and the government.
There are many reasons for working towards achieving a healthy weight. With a healthy weight one will feel better. Extra weight puts more pressure on the body joints and can lead to arthritis. A diet high in trans-fat and sugar and low in whole grains is more likely to damage the arteries and may contribute to heart disease. When people eat fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains; and cut out foods high in sugar and trans-fat (such as packaged baked items and fried foods), they are more likely to lose weight and lower our risk of heart disease. Generally, people who are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are overweight, and more than half of them are obese. Sleep apnea (a disorder in which people stop breathing for prolonged periods when they're sleeping) is associated with being overweight; experts say that losing 10 per cent of one's weight can make a significant improvement with the severity of the disorder.
Some studies suggest that abdominal fat plays a role in the development of insulin resistance and inflammation, an over-activity of the immune system that has been implicated in heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers. The more active people are the more the burning of calories.
Being underweight can be also problematic. If a young woman does not have regular periods, her ovulation is hampered. A recent study suggests that severely underweight women (less than 18 BMI) are 72 per cent more likely to miscarry. What's more, during pregnancy, underweight moms-to-be run the risk of having a premature or underweight baby, which could lead to long-term complications.
The key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is not about short-term dietary changes. It's about a lifestyle that includes healthy eating, regular physical activity, and balancing the number of calories consumed as against the number of calories human body uses. Keeping weight under control contributes to good health. And it continues with age.
Obesity-related diseases are 'implicated' in scores of deaths across the country. It is a serious health hazard people are facing today.
What is the first step in getting a healthy weight? Where should a person go for help?
There are several places an individual can turn to for help. You can either work with your doctor or work with a registered dietician, or seek help from some of the commercial programmes that are available, which can be very helpful.
And there's even better news. One does not have to look like a model in a magazine to get all the benefits of being at a healthy weight. Losing just 10 to 15 pounds can make one significantly healthier.
The writer is a nutritionist, BCA department at Labaid
Cardiac Hospital. fahmida@labaidgroup.com