The Right Weight for You
You may wonder, what is a healthy weight for me? Ask your Physician. The tables showing a healthy weight range for your height don’t take your medical history into account. As well as your weight, many healthcare professionals now check:
Your Body Mass Index (BMI)
One of the best ways to determine overall health risk is to determine a person’s body mass index, or BMI. It gives health care experts a way to use the simple measures of height and weight to understand how excess body weight affects health.
BMI is determined by a person’s weight divided by the square of his or her height. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a healthy BMI for adults is between 18.5 and 24.9. BMI ranges are based on the effect body weight has on the risk of getting certain diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and osteoarthritis. People with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 have a higher risk of these diseases. For people with a BMI of 30 or higher, the risk is even greater. To calculate your BMI, please use the Body Mass Index tool on Diabetes Control for Life site: http://diabetescontrolforlife.com/active_living/content.aspx?p=body_mass_index
| Your body shape | Waist measurement larger than: | |
|
Caucasian men |
40 inches |
|
|
Asian men |
36 inches |
|
|
Caucasian women |
35 inches |
|
|
Asian women |
32 inches |
|
A larger waist measurement may indicate increased health risks:
Bringing your weight into a healthy range may:
- Lower your blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Reduce your cholesterol levels.
- Help you to be more active, (by making it easier to move around and putting your joints under less stress).
- Increase your energy levels.
- Improve your self-esteem.
If you are overweight, losing some pounds will help you to control your diabetes better, but it should be done under medical supervision. Before you make any changes to your diet or exercise program, always check with your diabetes team.
As you lose weight and become more physically active:
- You may need less insulin or may need to reduce your dose of tablets. Muscles are less resistant to insulin than fat. Test your blood glucose frequently and keep a note of your levels as you track your weight loss. Then your healthcare professionals can see what is happening and help you adjust your medication if need be.
- Watch out for ‘hypos’. Check your blood glucose levels and if you are low, or feel a hypo coming on, eat a snack.
Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.
DOC11715-Rev-A 04/08
