With an estimated 1 in 4 adults being classed as obese, it’s important to understand the risks being obese can carry and find out where you are on the UK fat scale so you can start making lifestyle changes now.
No one particularly likes talking about their weight, but with an estimated 1 in 4 adults being classed as obese, it’s important to be aware of the risks being obese can carry.
Risks of obesity
If you are obese or struggling to maintain a healthy weight, you could be putting yourself at risk of major health issues.
Some of the serious health conditions obesity can lead to include:
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Stroke
• Cancer (in particular, breast or bowel cancer)
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure and high cholesterol
• Reduced life expectancy
Obesity can cause other health issues day to day, including a lack of energy, breathlessness, joint pain and poor sleep from snoring. Obesity can also have an impact on your mental health and potentially impact your confidence and personal relationships.
Treating obesity
Whilst there are some underlying health conditions that can lead to weight gain, obesity is most commonly caused by consuming more calories than your body burns through being active. Modern lifestyles also contribute to poor diet and exercise; busy lifestyles with desk-based jobs, grab and go processed foods and more people working from home and not being able to make time for even a daily walk can all impact weight.
The first port of call is to start a balanced, calorie-controlled diet and introduce daily exercise.
Your GP or a Dietician can help you get started with a balanced diet plan, or a local weight loss group could be beneficial, especially in providing a community to support your weight loss.
Introduce daily exercise to build up your strength and stamina, starting perhaps with a regular daily brisk walk and introducing different kinds of exercise such as swimming, gym classes or a team sport. Aim for 30 minutes every day at first and keep building up. Find an exercise you enjoy too, don’t be afraid to try lots of different things!
It can help to let your family and friends know you have set a weight loss goal so they can support you and remember to slow down and really enjoy your food so your body registers feeling full.
If you are finding lifestyle changes aren’t having an impact, arrange an appointment with your GP to see what other options and support could be available to you.
Related Article
Find out where you are on the UK fat scale
The NHS BMI Healthy Weight Calculator is a useful tool to help you work out your Body Mass Index and most importantly, understand what the result means.
Check your BMI using the online calculator here.
How to find out if you’re obese
For most adults, a BMI of:
- 18.5 to 24.9 means you’re a healthy weight
- 25 to 29.9 means you’re overweight
- 30 to 39.9 means you’re obese
- 40 or above means you’re severely obese
If you would like more advice or support, the Oval Medical Team can offer specialist GP and nutritionist services to support you in managing a healthy lifestyle.