Obesity not only shortens one's lifespan, but also makes one old and bedridden. Reducing these three values ​​can help the elderly live longer and safer.

Cardiovascular disease

Among the top ten causes of death in the past 110 years according to statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, heart disease and cerebrovascular disease ranked second and fourth! Common cardiovascular diseases include heart failure, myocardial infarction, and cerebral stroke. If you experience irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest tenderness, and cold sweats, you should get checked and treated as soon as possible!

The results of the integrated study show that the risk of death from cardiovascular disease in obese men is 40% higher than that in normal weight people, while for women it is 53% higher. On average, for every 5-unit increase in BMI, the risk of death from cardiovascular disease increases by 40%!

Osteoarthritis

As we age, our muscles degenerate and atrophy, gradually causing mobility problems. A high BMI will increase the risk of degenerative arthritis of the knee. On average, being overweight and obese increases the risk by about 2.5 times and 4.5 times, respectively. And for every 5 units increase in BMI, the risk of the disease increases by 35%.

cancer

Fat cells can cause chronic inflammation of body tissues. Tissues that are in a state of inflammation for a long time are more likely to turn into cancer cells. On average, for every 5-unit increase in BMI, the risk of colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, and endometrial cancer will increase by 20% to 50%.

If you can lose weight as quickly as possible and lower the 3 values ​​below, you can reduce the risk of disease and help your elders live longer and healthier lives!

1. Body Mass Index (BMI)

The ratio of weight to height is used to assess obesity, which is also a method generally recognized by international medical organizations. In 2001, the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Taiwan formed the "National Obesity Definition and Body Control Group" and referred to Asian and domestic literature to come up with data references suitable for Taiwanese people.

BMI > 24 is "overweight" and BMI > 27 is "obese"

Body Mass Index (BMI) = Weight (kg) ÷ Height (m) ÷ Height (m)

For example: weight 65 kg, height 150 cm

BMI = 65 ÷ 1.5 ÷ 1.5 = 28.8

(ii) Body fat percentage

Body fat includes subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. Body fat percentage is the percentage of total body fat to body weight. One of the more accurate methods in clinical practice is to use dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, but it is rarely used due to radiation. The most common method is bioelectrical impedance analysis, which is the common electronic body fat meter.

The standard value for body fat percentage is < 23% for men and < 25% for women. Exceeding the standard means you are overweight!

(Photo source: Dr. Lai Xinfu)

(III) Waist circumference

The so-called beer belly is a large amount of fat stored in the abdomen, close to the internal organs, which can easily increase the risk of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is also known as the "three highs": high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high blood lipids.

The National Health Service recommends that men’s waist circumference should be less than 90 cm (35 inches) and women’s waist circumference should be less than 80 cm (31 inches). Anything above that is abdominal obesity!

(Waist circumference measurement position: the midpoint between the highest point of the protruding bones on both sides of the waist and the lower edge of the ribs. The horizontal line of this midpoint is the midline waist circumference of the abdomen)