Losing Just 10% of Bodyweight Cuts Health Risks

Statistics show that obesity-related deaths
are on the rise. The prevalence of morbid
obesity - medically defined as 100 or
more pounds overweight - is increasing
rapidly. According to the U.S. Surgeon
General's office, obesity will soon become
the leading cause of preventable death in
the U.S., overtaking cigarette smoking.
Statistics put out by the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention
show that overweight people are more
likely to suffer from diabetes and heart
disease, and overweight women have a 50% greater risk for certain types of cancers.
There is good news, though. Recent studies indicate that a little weight loss can go a long way in reducing health risks. One study conducted by Dr. Steven Narod of the University of Toronto in Canada suggests that by losing just 10 pounds can reduce the cancer risk for women by up to 65%.
And according to information from the American Obesity Association, losing as little as 5 to 10% of your body weight, and keeping it off, can significantly decrease insulin levels and high blood pressure, thereby decreasing your risk for diabetes, stroke and heart attack.
The message is clear: When it comes to your health, every pounds makes a difference.
What's Your BMI?
BMI stands for Body Mass Index. is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women.
Calculating BMI
Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703.
Formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703
Example: Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5'5" (65")
Calculation: [150 รท (65)2] x 703 = 24.96
BMI Categories:
Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
Overweight = 25-29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater
What It Means to Your Health
Dropping a single BMI category can significantly reduce many health risks. And, believe it or not, it's not as difficult as you might think, if you have the right tools. For example, in one study on the
Sensa Weight-Loss System, more than 1,400 participants dropped an entire BMI category, on average.