Your Weight
Your weight is an important factor in your overall health. People who are overweight are more likely to develop;
• High Blood Pressure
• Type II Diabetes
• High Cholesterol
All of these conditions will put your heart at risk for cardiovascular diseases. Being overweight places additional strain on the heart which has to work harder to function.
Maintaining a healthy weight
Am I overweight?
There are two methods used to determine whether your weight places you at risk of heart disease.
Waist Circumference
The tummy area is one of the places where the body stores excess fat. Measuring the waist is a good indication of how much fat is being stored.
Knowing your waist size can help you work out whether you are at increased risk of health problems.
| Ideal measurements | Severe risk  | Increased risk | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men   |
Less than 94cm (37”) |
over 102cm (40”) |
Over 94cm (37”) |
| Women |
Less than 80cm (32”) |
over 88cm (35”) Â |
Over 80cm (32”) |
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Your BMI is an indication of whether you are overweight. BMI takes into account height and weight and is therefore more accurate than weight alone.
Ideally, your BMI should be around 18.5 - 25 although people with lots of muscle can often have a higher BMI while not being overweight.
