"One in four Canadian adults is considered obese, a dramatic increase over the past 25 years, Statistics Canada reports."
What is happening? Are we eating more? Exercising less? Has our society become so 'convenience' oriented that we simply don't move around as much as we did 25 years ago?
The Body Mass Index seems to be the most common method to use in figuring out whether or not one is 'overweight' or 'obese'. And I use these words carefully; what is considered overweight, what is considered obese?
"A normal BMI rate is in the 18.5 to 24.9 range while someone who records a BMI over 30 is considered obese."
However, the only thing that the BMI takes into consideration is your height and weight. Granted these are 2 very important factors, but what about muscle mass? What about your level of activity? What about your heart? How do you feel after walking up some stairs? Going for a walk? Don't forget, some people are just naturally larger or smaller than others.
So they have determined the 'normal range' for the 'average person'. So, if your BMI is 25-30 you are considered to be overweight - well folks I guess I am overweight today. Tomorrow might be a different story. I did the calculation and I was right on the starting edge of overweight. However, when I adjusted my weight 5 lbs I was miracously a 'healthy weight'. Wow!! I can go from overweight to healthy weight in a day. I say a day cuz often my weight does flucuate around 5lbs depending on the day, what I have eaten, when I decide to weigh myself, or a number of other factors.
I consider myself to be a fairly healthy person. I try to eat a well balanced diet, and I exercise regularily. I generally feel good, sleep well, and am happy when my clothes are a little looser.
Based off my own assessment of the BMI I am not convinced of its accuracy. I feel you need to use a variety of methods to determine what weight is right for you. However, I agree with the statistics:
"Among adults, those aged 25 to 34 and 75 or older recorded the biggest increase, nearly doubling their obesity rates to 21 per cent and 24 per cent respectively.
Three per cent of children aged two to 17 were obese 25 years ago. That rate shot up to eight per cent in 2004.
The biggest increases in obesity rates in young people occurred among those aged 12 to 17, where the rate tripled from three per cent to nine percent."
We need to start taking better care of ourselves. Eating a well balanced diet full of fruits, veggies and grains is a good start, as well as some exercise. Granted I am no health nut/exercise freak, but I try and it has been working.
4 comments:
I think the BMI isn't regarded as a really good measurement by most health-care professionals... it's a very quick-and-dirty measure, like heart-rate to measure activity (I mean, come on, I could exercise by drinking 10 cups of coffee if it was only about heart rate).
A high average BMI could actually show that Canadians are in *better* shape than ever, since muscle weighs more than fat (not likely, when you look around a mall, but still :)).
Most good gyms will do a much better estimation of your fitness... fat-to-bone-to-muscle measurements, flexibility, lung capacity, etc. I think the BMI is only supposed to be a first step.
I agree. But for the average individual who doesn't know much about their health or their diet a bad BMI index can be very demotivating, even harmful for ones self esteem.
I just happen to see it mentioned a lot in the news, articles, publications, wherever and I think that it can definitely mislead a person.
If 'they' are gonna talk about the BMI index and their statistics 'they' need to mention all those other things as well.
Hey Marce - the BMI is a terrible indicator!! I'm a size 6 and although my BMI is in the "healthy range", it's on the upper end, the point where they advise you to think about shedding a few pounds. Body fat % is one of the best ways to really determine if you're "overweight" or "obese". But even that has a 7% margin of error...
You are doing all of the right things - eating properly, exercising regularly - and most importantly - you FEEL healthy and happy! :)
P.S. You looked absolutely fantastic at the reunion last month!
thanks Melzi!
And you, you always look great!
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