How Do I Know If I’m Overweight?

Establishing and maintaining a healthy weight isn’t just about your appearance. Being overweight is associated with a long list of health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer.  

Determining whether you’re overweight and how much you need to lose to reduce your risk of complications isn’t straightforward. Variables such as your body type, genetics, family history, age, muscle mass, and pre-existing medical conditions help determine whether your current weight is considered healthy or unhealthy for your body.

If you’re concerned about your weight, the first step is to consult with a medical professional who can assess your weight and overall health. Our weight-loss experts at NuvidaRx Weight Loss in Tallahassee, Florida, specialize in helping patients achieve a wide range of weight-related goals. We can help ensure your success with results-oriented weight loss and long-term weight management programs.

Here are some common variables that weight-loss professionals consider to determine whether you’re overweight. 

BMI measurement

Body mass index (BMI) is often regarded as the gold standard in determining whether a person is overweight or obese, which are two different categorizations. The CDC uses BMI for reporting the number of overweight and obese people in the United States.

This mathematical formula represents your weight in relation to your height. Your BMI equals your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared. The higher your BMI, the higher your risk for complications associated with excess weight.

According to the CDC, a normal BMI ranges between 18.5 and 24.9. A BMI from 25.0 to 29.9 is considered overweight. Having a BMI of 30.0 or above is categorized as obese.  

It’s important to discuss what your BMI means with a medical professional. While BMI can be used to screen for overweight and obese individuals, it doesn’t consider body composition or whether your weight comes from fat, muscle, or bone. 

This means that a person who is very muscular with low health risk could be categorized as overweight because they have the same score as a person who has a high percentage of body fat and a higher health risk.

Size of your waist

Measuring your waist circumference is another way to determine whether you are at increased risk for health conditions associated with being overweight. Generally, if you carry the majority of your body fat around your waist instead of your hips, you have an increased risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. 

The risk increases for women who have a waist circumference greater than 35 inches and men with a waist circumference greater than 40 inches, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. 

The combined measurements of your waist circumference and BMI can help determine your risk for developing conditions associated with being overweight or obese. 

Obstructive sleep apnea

Having obstructive sleep apnea may be a sign that you’re carrying more than a normal amount of body weight. People with obstructive sleep apnea repeatedly stop and restart breathing during sleep. If your bed partner complains that you snore nightly, or you awaken feeling exhausted no matter how long you sleep, you may have obstructive sleep apnea. 

Having extra fat around your neck can make you susceptible to obstructive sleep apnea. With this condition, the muscles at the back of your throat relax so much when you’re sleeping that they can’t support the extra soft tissue around the walls of your throat and mouth. The relaxed soft tissue blocks your airway and interrupts your breathing until you wake up gasping for air.

You can significantly reduce the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea and your risk of complications associated with the condition by losing just 10% of your body weight. You can potentially cure the condition by losing the extra fat tissue.

Persistent fatigue or muscle aches

Being overweight makes your heart, lungs, and other organs work harder than normal. You may be overweight if you feel persistent fatigue or shortness of breath after completing routine activities. Fatigue can make it difficult to complete any type of physical or mental activity.

Carrying more than a normal amount of body weight also puts extra stress on your joints, bones, and muscles, which can cause aches and also contribute to fatigue. Studies indicate a positive relationship between a higher BMI and increased musculoskeletal pain, especially in the lower back and lower limbs.

Don’t delay in getting a medical evaluation at NuvidaRx Weight Loss if you’re concerned about being overweight. Request an appointment online or call our office today at 850-290-7307.