June is Men's Health Month, and Lake Regional's James Neill, M.D, is encouraging men to be aware of how their waistlines impact their overall health.
"Normally, when men think about getting their weight under control, they think about a number on a scale," said Dr. Neill, a family medicine physician at Lake Regional Clinic Camdenton. "But pounds aren't the only important number to know. Inches - particularly inches around the waist - also impact a man's risk for obesity-related health problems."
Two measures to know
According to Neill, it's best to consider both a man's body mass index, or BMI, and his waist circumference to determine his obesity-related health risks.
"BMI provides a picture of overall body fat, whereas waist circumference focuses on abdominal fat," Neill said.
Body mass index is calculated from height and weight and provides a good, although not perfect, gauge of disease risk that occurs with excess body fat. BMI numbers are also used to categorize people as underweight (BMI below 18.5), normal (BMI of 18.524.9), overweight (BMI of 2529.9) and obese (BMI of 30 and above).
Waist circumference is measured just above the hipbones, right after a person breathes out. For men, the risk of disease goes up with a waist size that is greater than 40 inches; for women, it's 35 inches.
"Each of these measures - BMI and waist circumference - is connected with a higher risk of obesity-related disease, even if the other measure is normal," Neill said. "And if someone has both a high BMI and a high waist circumference, that person has a higher risk than someone with just one of these risk factors."
What's at stake
The list of health problems related to overweight and obesity is long and includes coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, reproductive problems and gallstones, among others.
"The bottom line is, obesity is a leading preventable cause of death in the United States," Neill said. "It's worth some serious effort to get to and maintain a healthy weight.
Small steps, big rewards
"Healthy weight loss isn't about starting a new diet or fad exercise," Neill said. "It's about committing to a lifestyle of healthy eating and good fitness. As you get started, it's good to know that even modest weight loss can mean big benefits. Losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can bring significant improvement to your overall health."
Smaller portion sizes and healthy snacking are good places to start.
"Ask your doctor for help creating a plan that fits you," Neill said. "Also, invite friends and family members to encourage and support you. If you're still struggling, a registered dietitian can create healthy meal plans."
To learn more about Dr. Neill, visit www.lakeregional.com/physicians. Neill cares for patients of all ages at Lake Regional Clinic Camdenton. To make an appointment, call 573-346-5624.