Two things determine our body weight: The energy we take in and the energy we use up.
Take in more energy than we use and we gain weight. Take in less than we use and we lose it. Simple really!
All of us have an ideal body weight and there are two ways of checking how close we are to it.
Waist measurement.
The first is with a tape measure around the waist. This is a good way to check your fat distribution and of assessing how likely you are to develop weight related conditions like type 2 diabetes.
Simply take the measurement at a mid point between your ribs and hip-bones, and check the chart below to see whether you’re at risk.
Waist measurement | Increased risk | High risk |
European men | 94cm (37inches) *90cm (36inches) for Asian men | 102cm (40inches) |
Women | 80cm (32inches) | 88cm (35inches) |
The second way to calculate your ideal weight is to measure your Body Mass Index.
« previous
next »
