The Medical Big “3”
Overweight is clinically defined as having more body fat than is healthy. Here in America we have, for most people, an abundance of food. We also have very sedentary lifestyles.
Various studies have demonstrated that two thirds of our population is either overweight or obese. This percentage has been increasing for at least forty years and continues to grow.
These trends apply globally, though with interesting differences between countries. “Obesity” is defined as a Body Mass Index over 30. In my last article, I included a simple formula allowing one to calculate their own BMI. This formula is:
BMI = (Weight pounds Height inches2) x 703
The USA Obesity rate is approximately 34 percent. Thus, of the two thirds cited above one third of Americans are obese and one third are overweight (defined as a BMI of 25 to 30). This is in contrast to other countries. In the UK, the obesity rate is about 24 percent; in Germany it’s about 14; in France 11; Italy 10 and Japan 4.
The “BIG 3” are the three most common medical conditions seen with people who are overweight (BMI 25 30) or obese (BMI greater than 30). These include:
n BLOOD SUGAR ELEVATION that often leads to diabetes
n HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE with all the complications of stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, sexual problems in males and perhaps females, etc.
n ELEVATED CHOLESTEROL with its well-known medical conditions
In my practice and that of other physicians, people who have various medical problems and who lose weight not only feel better but also can often decrease or even discontinue various prescription medications.
A study in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) published about a year ago clearly demonstrated that diet participants who had regular personal counseling during their weight loss were the most successful at losing weight and keeping it off. Our MEDI Weightloss program has been designed with this as an important feature.
Another interesting study was conducted by the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research. This found that participants who kept food journals lost almost twice the weight of those who did not. This important aspect has also been incorporate into our weight loss program.
In summary, it is clear that with reasonable weight control the “BIG 3” can often be prevented before the problems begin and damage is done. After problems are present they can be reduced or eliminated (along with changes in required prescription medications) by losing the excess weight. We encourage everyone to take a step toward the betterment of his or her health.
Stephen F. Scholle, M.D., Ph.D. practices Family Medicine, Dermatology and in addition has the MEDI WeightLoss program in his office. The office is in the Key Estero Center at 1661 Estero Blvd., Ste. # 1, on Fort Myers Beach. For more information, please call 239-765-0007.