A large proportion of the population struggles with obesity. From research reveals that more than half of the Dutch are overweight. Being overweight can have a lot of impact on your daily life. It can hinder you from performing certain activities and there are health risks involved. That is why it is important for you to aim for a healthy weight. It is often difficult to manage this on your own. In this blog, we explain where obesity comes from, how you can work on it and what we can do for you. You are not alone!
What is the difference between overweight and obesity?
Overweight
We speak of being overweight when your body receives more nutrients than required for your maximum energy needs. If this is the case, you are receiving a surplus of calories. Your body stores these extra calories in the form of fat. You can measure the degree of excess weight using the Body Mass Index (BMI). This measurement method looks at height, weight, gender and age. It also takes into account the circumference in centimetres of your waist. A BMI below 25 is considered a healthy weight. We define overweight at a BMI between 25 and 30. So, if you do not fit a size 38, it does not mean that you are overweight.
Obesity
When is there obesity? At a BMI of 30 or more, we are obese and at a BMI of 40 we speak of morbid obesity. There is also a difference between men and women. For obese men, a waist circumference of 102 cm applies and for women it is a waist circumference of 88 cm or more. Obesity is not only caused by lack of exercise. It can also have a hereditary cause or be caused by certain metabolic diseases such as a slow-working thyroid gland.
What are the risks of being overweight and obese?
It is no surprise that obesity is a major health risk. The most well-known problems of obesity are: an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension. Someone who is obese also has an increased risk of premature death compared to someone who has a healthy weight.
Risks of obesity:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Joint complaints/arthrosis
- Diabetes Mellitus (diabetes)
- Elevated cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Different forms of cancer
- Faster wear of joints
What can our physiotherapists do for you?
Physiotherapy plays an important supportive role in dealing with overweight and obesity. Our therapists can help you develop a healthier lifestyle and exercise more.
Together with your therapist, you will enter an intensive treatment programme. Under supervision, you will exercise and improve your lifestyle. You will lose weight, become fitter and thus reduce the risk of health problems.
Contact us
Are you overweight or obese and in need of weight loss and exercise support? We are ready to help you! You can contact with us by calling 085-5000333 or send an e-mail to info@friskfysio.nl.
