By Amy Rauworth
America continues to fight an obesity epidemic.
People with disabilities, regardless of sex, race/ethnicity, or age, are reported to have significantly higher rates of obesity and extreme obesity. A small exploratory study by Rimmer and Wang found that people with disabilities were twice as likely to be obese when compared to those in the general population.
Even if you know that you should lose a few pounds, do you know your risk factors? Calculating Body Mass Index (BMI) is a good method for assessing overweight and obesity, and this simple tool only requires height and weight.
Take a moment to calculate your BMI. Click on this link http://www.ncpad.org/350/2035/Body~Mass~Index~Calculator to ascertain if you are at risk.
Please Note:
BMI and Spinal Cord Injury
It is important to note that BMI is not the best tool to establish risk factors in individuals with spinal cord injury. Many body composition changes occur following a spinal cord injury. A decrease in muscle mass (especially below the level of injury) and bone density often accompanies an increase in body fat. According to Dr. Braunschweig, a professor and researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago, it is recommended that until future research confirms the BMI cut-points that are appropriate to determine risk for obesity-related diseases in individuals with SCI, it is recommended that waist circumference measures should be used for this population.
According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES),
| BMI | Weight Status |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal |
| 25.0 – 29.9 | Overweight |
| 30.0 – 39.9 | Obese |
| 40.0 and above | Extreme Obesity |
BMI is not the same as percent body fat, but it does provide a correlation to body fat and the effect that body weight has on disease and death. BMI differs by sex and age, and it is common for women to have a higher BMI than men. Note that the table presented above should not be used for children or teens, as BMI for children and teens is based on gender- and age-specific charts that take into consideration the growth of a child or teen.
BMI is a strong indicator of your risk factor for developing certain diseases and even an increased chance of death. Common conditions related to overweight and obesity include:
- Premature death
- Cardiovascular disease
- High blood pressure
- Osteoarthritis
- Some cancers
- Diabetes
What other factors should you consider? Remember that BMI is not a diagnostic tool, and that it is important to consider the other risk factors that are related to developing chronic disease, including:
- Poor diet
- Lack of physical activity
- Waist circumference of 28.5-35.0 inches or greater for women and 39.5- 47.0 inches or greater for men
- Blood pressure (prehypertensive 120-139/80-89 or hypertensive 140/90 or greater)
- Fasting blood glucose (blood sugar) ≥ 100
- Cholesterol (total cholesterol >200), and
- Family history.
Take a moment to create a list numbered 1 to 7 to assess your risk factors. Both this list and your BMI can be very useful tools to establish your health promotion plan. If you are unsure about some of these risk factor measurements and have not had a complete physical within the last year, see your doctor to determine your risk.
Updated 4/13/2020