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L i v e Yo u n g e r L o n g e r
Our bodies are made up of water, fat,
protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and
minerals. And if you have too much fat –
especially if you’re carrying it primarily in
the waist – your risk for heart disease goes
up. That’s why it’s important to know your
body mass index (BMI), a numerical value
of your weight in relation to your height.
Weigh Your Options. Take Stress Off Your Heart.
The truth is that most of us consider ourselves overweight. The problem is that
it isn’t just about our size or how we look. It’s about carrying excess weight
to the point of straining our hearts and raising our blood pressure. High LDL
(bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels and low HDL (good) cholesterol levels
increase our risk for diabetes and heart disease.
Heart
Obesity
Disease
&
Your BMI is a good indicator of whether you’re at a
healthy or unhealthy weight. Here’s how it breaks down:
Underweight:
Less than 18.5
Healthy Weight:
Between 18.5 and 25
Overweight:
Between 25 and 29.9
Obese:
30 or higher is considered obese
How to Calculate Your BMI
To calculate your exact BMI value, multiply
your weight in pounds by 703, divide by
your height in inches, then divide again
by the same number (height in inches).
The good news is that losing as few as 10
pounds can lower your heart disease risk.
