Tag Archives: Health

Weight Loss Health News, Information and Tips

If you’re overweight or obese you will have immediate health concerns. The type of health concerns you might have are diabetes, shortness of breath and even blood pressure complications. Find out tips and news here on weight loss health.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Flaws Mean a Piece of String Could Work Better

June 8, 2015 Shailesh Tiwari Leave a comment

Since its inception body mass index or BMI for short has been the yard stick test for measuring body fat. New research (and a piece of string) now shows that it’s in no way a perfect science.

Body Mass Index test has been around for quite a while now. For some time we have known it is not a perfect method for measuring body fat but it’s been agreed that it can be used as suitable guideline to help with obesity and weight loss. New research by Dr. Margaret Ashwell and Oxford Brookes University has now fully exposed the flaws of BMI using a piece of string as visual aid.

BMI test quick facts.

BMI was conceived in the early 1800’s by Belgian Polymath Adolphe Quetelet. He came up with the formula which is used as a test for measuring obesity which he called the Quetelet Index of Obesity. This was then fine tuned into the following formulas:

Imperial English BMI – weight (lbs) x 703 ÷ height (in²)
Metric BMI – weight (kg) / height (m²)

BMI has only been used as a global standard since the 1980’s when there was a rise in cases of obesity across the western world.

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The trouble with Body Mass Index (BMI).

The problem with Body Mass Index (BMI) is a two-fold problem that can’t account for important body shape variables. For example, if a person is exceptionally muscular such as a bodybuilder, the standard BMI calculator will show them as being overweight or obese. You only have to look at them to realise how far off the mark is kind of assessment is.

“BMI gives us an idea of total fat mass, but doesn’t tell us where the fat is located in our body,” “Fat distribution can give us an idea of whether a person is at an increased risk of mortality.” W. Scott Butsch – MD Harvard Medical School

The other more significant problem is that if a person is a fairly standard shape all over but has a lot of belly fat the current BMI test may give them the all clear from a weight loss perspective. This means a lot of people are not being diagnosed properly and never receiving the treatment they need.

“If you are measuring waist-to-height ratio you are getting a much earlier prediction that something is going wrong, and then you can do something about it.”Dr. Margaret Ashwell – Oxford Brookes University

BMI string test and WHtR (waist-to-height ratio).

In a new weight and health assessment study conducted in Oxford Brookes University a new method has gained a lot of ground. WHtR (waist-to-height ratio) which can be conducted with a piece of string has been shown as a test to be a much better indicator of a person’s weight status and possible obesity.

Ashwell Shape Chart - Alternative to Body Mass Index Chart — Ashwell Shape Chart – Alternative to Body Mass Index Chart

The problem is that white fat which generally gathers around the waist can be missed by a regular BMI test. With WHtR (waist-to-height ratio) you measure your height with a piece of string and then fold the string in half and wrap it around your waist to see if it will comfortably fit your circumference. If you fail the string test you should consider seeing your GP or attending a weight loss clinic.

“The beauty is that you can do it in centimetres or inches, it doesn’t matter. We have got increasing evidence that this works very well with children as well, because whilst they grow up their waist is growing but also their height.” Dr. Margaret Ashwell – Oxford Brookes University

The study of 3000 people showed that at least 12% of people suffering from obesity or being overweight would be completely missed using the current BMI method.

Some of the Health Risks Associated with Obesity

July 3, 2013 Bob Hyde Leave a comment

Doctors have recently announced that obesity in the UK is reaching epidemic proportions and are extremely concerned it is doing so. In fact the number of people in the UK that are considered obese has trebled over the past 25 years.

What classifies a person as obese?

There are a number of classification parameters for anybody to be informed they are obese. Being obese basically means that a large portion of your body mass is fat and that you are considered overweight for your height and body type. A person is considered obese if they are very overweight with a high degree of body fat. Two common routes to the assessment of obesity are skinfold thickness and the use of body mass index (BMI).

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The main causes of obesity.

There has been large consensus on the factors that are driving the increasing percentage of obese people throughout the UK.

Aggressively marketed, cheap, fast food that is often high in energy is readily accessible.
Sedentary lifestyle approaches as people are much less active than they were in the past. Hobbies and leisure pursuits as well as jobs are now usually done sat down.
Higher dependence on cars and public transport to move from A to B rather than walking.

Worse for the country than smoking?

There has been a lot of disagreement about the overall impact of obesity on the country with many experts believing obesity is more responsible for general ill health that the effects of smoking. Even if this is not the case being overweight is certainly linked to a plethora of health issues such as:

Diabetes
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Arthritis
Indigestion
Gallstones
Some cancers (eg, breast and prostate cancers)
Snoring and sleep apnoea
Stress, anxiety, and depression
Infertility
BMI – A common formula

The Body Mass Index which is commonly known as BMI is used by most weight loss specialists to check for obesity levels. BMI is basically calculated by dividing your weight in kilos by your height in metres squared. Whilst this method is not foolproof and doesn’t apply correctly to bodybuilders who have large muscle mass instead of fat a BMI of above 25 classifies you as overweight with a BMI of 30-40 putting you in the obese category.

From Wikipedia

“The body mass index (BMI), or Quetelet index, is a measure for human body shape based on an individual’s weight and height. It was devised between 1830 and 1850 by the Belgian polymath Adolphe Quetelet during the course of developing “social physics”.” – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_mass_index

BMI Formula.

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There has been a proposal for updating the way BMI is calculated which takes into account more height extremes.

Alternative obesity measurement.

There is also another commonly used measurement of obesity which is to take a waist measurement of the patient. This is because fat deposits collecting around the wait area are much more linked to evenly distributed fat around the rest of the body.

This helps take into account people who are just bigger all round and not necessarily obese. Women who have a waist measurement of 80cm or more along with men who have a waist of 94cm or more are considered more likely to develop the health problems related to obesity.

Stats on the obesity impact in the UK.

2011 data from England shows 24.8% of adults plus 16.3% of children are obese
2010 data from Scotland shows 27.4% of adults plus 14% of children are obese
Recent Government report claimed obesity will cost the NHS £6.4bn per year by 2015

(adult = ages 16+) (children = ages 2 -15)

Five Simple, Useful Health & Weight Loss Tips

July 2, 2013 Bob Hyde Leave a comment

During the course of the year most our good intentioned weight loss resolutions will have drifted away into the darkness of past hope never to be seen or heard from ever again. At least that’s true for a lot of people, people who buy the very nature of being a person start something and never finish it off. It’s not a crime and it happens all the time, other things take our time or we are not motivated enough to get it done.

So, that’s the negativity out of the way, I’m just trying to help I promise. The truth is, statistically the scales are not in your favour (pardon the pun). Many diets are simply put together to be temporary when what you really need is a long term weight loss plan that you can stick to for years to come.

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These weight loss tips and diets only work when you are ‘on a diet’ which of course implies that one day you will be off it. That’s when old habits kick in and we go back to eating much of the same food we ate before the ‘diet’….and so the cycle continues!

Dictionary reference for diet.

di·et 1 [dahy-it], verb, di·et·ed, di·et·ing, adjective noun

food and drink considered in terms of its qualities, composition, and its effects on health: Milk is a wholesome article of diet.
a particular selection of food, especially as designed or prescribed to improve a person’s physical condition or to prevent or treat a disease: a diet low in sugar.
such a selection or a limitation on the amount a person eats for reducing weight: No pie for me, I’m on a diet.
the foods eaten, as by a particular person or group: The native diet consists of fish and fruit.
food or feed habitually eaten or provided: The rabbits were fed a diet of carrots and lettuce.
anything that is habitually provided or partaken of: Television has given us a steady diet of game shows and soap operas. – http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/diet?s=t

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As you can see, ‘diet’ actually means something that is consistent or habitual not something you do for a short time and then change. So clearly whatever you eat habitually will in part determine what your weight and health will be. With that in mind it’s even clearer that you should just ditch the short term ‘diet’ cycle if you are looking to stay consistently healthy and of a regular weight and put more emphasis on being healthy.

Here are our five health and weight loss tips:

Eat real food – You need to eat proper, whole foods that aren’t processed or prepared for you. All the simple stuff such as fruit & vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds & whole grains.
Eat less animals – It’s a good idea to cut right back on cheap animal products. Less really is more and you should focus more on high quality or organic meats. Cutting back on meat will improve your health and the environment.
Drink more water – People just don’t drink enough water with 2 litres a day being recommended. Get yourself a refillable water bottle and drink from it all day.
Exercise regularly – Get that body moving! No excuses…up the stairs, in the park, round the track, in the gym. You need to move about!
Get regular sleep – Regular, natural sleep will help your body keep healthy. There has been research that shows loss of sleep can result in weight gain too.

Health foods, healthy mind, healthy body, healthy you!

Breaking yourself away from the fat, sugary diet sold to us every day as the height of luxury is not easy. However, as you continually eat healthy, natural foods your body will start to crave them the same way it craves a burger or ice-cream.

Don’t try and change the whole situation in one go, that’s where most people really falter. You set the bar too high for yourself where it’s all too easy to fail so take it one step at a time, a little here and there. Gradual changes towards your new weight and lifestyle goals will make it easier and before you know it you’ll be running to work with your organic chicken salad in your backpack after a perfect night’s sleep.

Important Considerations for Buying Weight Loss Supplements on the Internet

February 6, 2013 Bob Hyde Leave a comment

Anybody buying weight loss supplements on the internet may have cause for concern. Firstly, there is a good chance you may not even receive them! You could be dealing with shady characters in a foreign country or the package could be seized by Customs at the point of entry into the UK. Either way, you have lost your money.

Let’s say you actually receive them, now your worry is – what’s in them? Weight loss supplements sent from foreign countries are more often produced under non-hygienic conditions and have no license or product code. They are not subjected to the stringent tests and standards required in the UK.

Start Your Weight Loss Journey Today!

Get in touch today for a free consultation with a weight loss specialist.

Email us: kingsweightloss@gmail.com
Call us: 0208 597 4321

Finally, you now have them in your possession, are you really going to take them, bearing in mind all the aforementioned? Furthermore, you have had no medical consultation, no prescription and no dispensing procedure – you have decided to take them because you feel it’s the easy way.

Dangers of weight loss supplements.

Well you only need to read the aforementioned to be aware of the dangers of self-assessment and trusting to the quality of the product.

Without doubt, the most important factor is to undergo professional medical assessment by way of a consultation before entering upon any course of drug therapy.

Important!

Never try to make you own decisions about taking Weight Loss Supplements bought on the internet, see a qualified doctor and be safe. A consultation will reveal any effects a particular drug may have upon you. This is very important, not only in the short term, but could have long term adverse effects, not seen in the short term.

My Weight, My Future Campaign

October 22, 2012 Bob Hyde Leave a comment

This is a campaign that is being promoted by our associations lobbying and media firm and on 14th November we have a media and cross party promotion in the House of Commons inviting many national newspapers, TV stations etc.,

Robert Houtman also spent 1½ hours at the BBC with Health Correspondent, Nick Triggle. Much of all this being picked up by the media like “The Evening Standard”, The Washington Post”, “Bloomberg” LBC radio” etc.,

Robert Houtman of the OMA said:

“The Obesity Management Association (OMA) encourages individuals to take personal responsibility for their weight as a matter of urgency and will be launching the ‘My Weight, My Future’ campaign next month.” http://www.omaorg.com