Nowadays, obesity has become a problem that plagues many people. According to the “Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022)” issued by the Chinese Nutrition Society, the current overweight and obesity rate of children and adolescents aged 6-17 in China has reached 19.0%, and the adult residents are overweight. and obesity rate has exceeded 50%. How can I tell if I am obese? How to lose weight scientifically and reasonably? On May 11, “World Obesity Prevention Day”, a reporter from Chinanews.com interviewed Zhao Qian, deputy director of the Health Management Center of the People’s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and head of the clinical nutrition department, to answer relevant questions.
Zhao Qian introduced that there are currently three main criteria for judging obesity. “The first is what we usually call BMI (Body Mass Index), which is calculated by dividing the weight (in kg) by the square of the height (in m). For Chinese people, the BMI value is in the range of 18.5-24. It is normal, the range of 24-28 is overweight, and if it is more than 28, we generally consider it to be obese.”
The hospital launched the “Prevention and Treatment of Obesity” Day” popularization campaign. Photo by Yang Di
“Secondly, waist circumference is also a criterion for measuring obesity.” Zhao Qian said that if the waist circumference of women is greater than 85 cm, and the waist circumference of men is greater than 90 cm, it is generally considered to be central obesity or abdominal obesity.
“In addition, body fat rate is also an important criterion, which can help us objectively evaluate whether the body’s weight mainly comes from fat or muscle.” Zhao Qian introduced that if the male body fat rate is greater than 25%, and women with a body fat rate greater than 30% are generally considered obese.
So, is it a congenital factor or an acquired factor that determines whether a person is obese? Zhao Qian believes that both congenital and acquired factors may be the reasons for affecting weight, but the impact and change of acquired lifestyle on weight may be greater. “Only by achieving ‘balance in and out’ can we maintain calorie balance and weight balance. Many people’s diet is high in sugar, oil, and calories. The obesity associated with this ‘imbalanced’ lifestyle is very obvious.”
Hospital launches “Obesity Prevention Day” Science Popularization promotional activity. Photo by Yang Di
Actually, obesity is not a problem that can be taken lightly. “The complications that obesity may cause can be said to be all over the body, from head to toe.” Zhao Qian said that obesity may first bring metabolic complications, such as diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver, etc., in addition to endocrine, Nervous system and other diseases increase the incidence of tumor diseases, and may also increase the burden on human joints and bring about joint diseases.
So, how to lose weight scientifically and reasonably? Zhao Qian believes that “eating” is very important if you want to lose weight scientifically. “Medical nutrition weight loss pays more attention to people’s health indicators, rather than simply ‘how many pounds have you lost’. Through reasonable dietary and energy ratios, we will ultimately allow patients to eat healthily and safely, supplemented by Moderate and reasonable exercise will form a normal healthy lifestyle.”
Zhao Qian also emphasized that the scientific weight loss and weight loss model must be closer to the individual’s natural lifestyle towards the end. It is very ‘severe’ to reduce diet and exercise a lot at the same time. Once this method cannot be maintained later, it may face a rebound in weight. Repeating this is actually not good for the health of the body, and even has a certain negative impact. Only gradually Only by cultivating a ‘balanced in and out’ lifestyle can we achieve ‘long-term stability’ of weight and health.”