LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The Air Force health observance for January is Healthy Weight Month, and weight is a topic of growing concern. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, becoming overweight and obese has dramatically increased since the '70s.
A healthy weight is typically determined by body mass index, or BMI, which is calculated according to height and weight. In most cases, a person's BMI correlates with their level of body fat. The average adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is regarded as overweight and a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.
There are a few exceptions; for example, individuals with excess muscle mass may fall outside the healthy BMI range, but may not be at risk for conditions associated with excess body fat.
The best method to determine if excess weight is posing a health risk is to measure abdominal circumference. Females should maintain an abdominal circumference less than 35 inches and males less than 40 inches.
All this attention on achieving or maintaining a healthy weight is not without merit. Being obese is associated with many serious health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
However, a recent published analysis of research on the risks associated with being in the overweight category has raised some debate. According to Lt. Col. Maureen Harback, Air Combat Command consultant dietitian, "there is evidence to suggest that being overweight, or having a BMI 25-29.9, is not as risky as once thought. However, for Americans, being overweight is usually a transient state. As we age, we gain at least 1.5-2 pounds per year, which could easily move us from overweight to obese in a lifetime. So, maintaining a health weight is key."
The good news is that the military offers a variety of free programs to assist in managing weight. The Langley Health and Wellness Center offers several programs that address successfully managing your weight.
"Step into Exercise" is a monitored exercise program for high-risk individuals with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or obesity who want to reduce or maintain their weight or simply improve their exercise tolerance.
Additionally, Ms. Sheila Bailey, RD, offers "Keys to Weight Management," a class scheduled for the third and fourth Thursday of every month. Ms. Bailey also offers commissary tours where she educates shoppers on how to make healthy food choices without sacrificing good taste.
For those who want to lose weight, Ms. Bailey said caloric intake is still important.
"Calories in equal calories out," the dietician said. "Most people don't know how many calories they're taking in each day, and sometimes think theyre burning more calories than they actually are."
Ms. Bailey suggested one way to find out not only how many calories people taking in, but what foods or drinks are contributing excess calories is to keep a food log for at least a week.
"Most people are surprised by how much that morning drink or favorite fast food item contributes to inches gained," said Ms. Bailey. "It's not about giving up those favorite foods, but rather what foods or drinks you can substitute without giving up the pleasure of eating what you want.
The dietician said it only takes 500 calories plus or minus a day to gain or lose a pound.
"As far as the 'calories out 'goes, it's not always about the "E" word (exercise); people forget that daily activities - walking or taking the stairs - all add up to reducing your 'bottom line. '"