What is BMI?

BMI is a measure of weight and height used to estimate body fat and health risks. BMI can be used to determine if people are at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese.

BMI Calculation

BMI Categories
BMI Categories:

Underweight = <18.5 Normal weight = 18.524.9 Overweight = 2529.9 Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

What Health Risks Are Increased By A High BMI?

Stroke Blood Pressure Blood Vessel Damage Heart Attack Kidney Failure Fatty liver disease

What Can You Do To Improve Your BMI?

Maintain your healthy weight or lose weight if you are overweight.

Eat healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy.

Exercise or increase your level of physical activity.

Cut down on salt, sodium and fat in your diet.

What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a defect in the bodys ability to convert glucose (sugar) to energy. Glucose is the main source of fuel for our body

To convert glucose to energy- insulin is needed. Insulin is produced in the pancreas Diabetes develops when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient quantities of insulin

Diabetes Types
Type 1 diabetes - The insulin produced is defective and cannot move glucose into the cells.

Type 1 diabetes occurs most frequently in children and young adults

 Type 2 diabetes - Either insulin is not produced in sufficient quantities or the insulin produced is defective and cant move the glucose into the cells

Type 2 diabetes primarily affects adults

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Blurred vision Unusual thirst Frequent urination Slow-healing cuts Unexplained tiredness Rapid weight loss Erectile dysfunction Tingling in hands or feet

How is diabetes diagnosed?

The fasting blood glucose (sugar) test is the preferred way to diagnose diabetes. It is easy to perform and convenient. After the person has fasted overnight (at least 8 hours), a single sample of blood is drawn and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

 Normal fasting plasma glucose levels are less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). Fasting plasma glucose levels of more than 126 mg/dl on two or more tests on different days indicate diabetes. A random blood glucose test can also be used to diagnose diabetes. A blood glucose level of 200 mg/dl or higher indicates diabetes

If you are diagnosed with diabetes, what should you do?

Request a referral to a certified diabetes educator and/or a dietitian. Obtain a prescription for a glucometer and testing supplies

Begin an exercise program

 Limit your intake of concentrated sweets Increase your fiber intake

Test your blood sugar at varying times of the day

Food Pyramid for Diabetes

Individuals with diabetes should eat carbohydrates like bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, corn, fruit, and milk products

 Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure

What is Hypertension

Blood pressure is the force applied against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. The pressure is determined by the force and amount of blood pumped and the size and flexibility of the arteries

 Blood pressure involves two measurements, systolic and diastolic, which depend on whether the heart muscle is contracting (systole) or relaxed between beats (diastole).

Blood Pressure Measurement

Blood pressure readings are usually given as two numbers -- for example, 120 over 80 (written as 120/80 mmHg). One or both of these numbers can be too high. The top number is called the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is called the diastolic blood pressure.

 Normal blood pressure is when your blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mmHg most of the time. High blood pressure (hypertension) is when your blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or above most of the time.

If your blood pressure numbers are 120/80 or higher, but below 140/90, it is called pre-hypertension. If you have pre-hypertension, you are more likely to develop high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure Factors

Age: The older a person is, the greater the likelihood that he or she will develop high blood pressure Family history (heredity): The tendency to have high blood pressure appears to run in families. Gender: Generally men have a greater likelihood of developing high blood pressure than women Obesity: As body weight increases, the blood pressure rises Sodium (salt) sensitivity: Some people have high sensitivity to sodium (salt), and their blood pressure increases if they use salt Alcohol use: Drinking more than one to two drinks of alcohol per day tends to raise blood pressure in those who are sensitive to alcohol Birth control pills (oral contraceptive use): Some women who take birth control pills develop high blood pressure Lack of exercise (physical inactivity): A sedentary lifestyle contributes to the development of obesity and high blood pressure.

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure tests

Routine lab tests are recommended before beginning treatment of high blood pressure to determine organ or tissue damage or other risk factors. These lab tests include urinalysis, blood cell count, blood chemistry (potassium, sodium, creatinine, fasting glucose, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol), and an ECG (electrocardiogram). Additional tests may be recommended based on your condition.

Treatment
You can do many things to help control your blood pressure, including: Eat a heart-healthy diet, including potassium and fiber, and drink plenty of water.

Exercise regularly -- at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day. If you smoke, quit -- find a program that will help you stop. Limit how much alcohol you drink -- one drink a day for women, two a day for men.

 Limit the amount of sodium (salt) you eat -- aim for less than 1,500 mg per day.

Reduce stress -- try to avoid things that cause you stress. You can also try meditation or yoga. Stay at a healthy body weight -- find a weight-loss program to help you, if you need it

Complications
When blood pressure is not well controlled, you are at risk for:

Bleeding from the aorta, the large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs
Chronic kidney disease Heart attack and heart failure Poor blood supply to the legs Stroke Problems with your vision

What is Obesity?
obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health

A person with a BMI of 30 or more is generally considered obese

Causes of obesity
Taking in more calories than you burn can lead to obesity because the body stores unused calories as fat.
Obesity can be caused by: Eating more food than your body can use Drinking too much alcohol

Not getting enough exercise

Sometimes, medical problems or treatments cause weight gain, including: Underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) Medicines such as birth control pills, antidepressants, and antipsychotics Quitting smoking Stress, anxiety, feeling sad , or not sleeping well

For women: Menopause -- women may gain 12-15 pounds during menopause Not losing the weight they gained during pregnancy

Health risks associated with obesity

breathing disorders (e.g., sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) certain types of cancers (e.g., prostate and bowel cancer in men, breast and uterine cancer in women) coronary artery (heart) disease depression diabetes gallbladder or liver disease high blood pressure high cholesterol joint disease (e.g., osteoarthritis) stroke

Treating obesity
The best way to treat obesity is to reduce the amount of calories in your diet and to exercise more

Diet advice A healthy diet should contain: meals based on starchy, high-fiber carbohydrates, such as wholegrain bread, pasta and rice at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day a moderate amount of low-fat protein, milk and dairy products a very small amount of foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt

Exercise Doing exercise regularly is an effective way of reducing weight

Types of exercise The most effective types of exercise are aerobic activities. brisk walking, gardening, or cycling, supervised exercise programmes , and activities such as swimming, walking and stair climbing.