Contemporary Nutrition 3rd Edition by Gordon Wardlaw, Anne Smith, Angela Collene

Exercise 4

A Close Look at Your Weight Status
Determine the following two indices of your body status: body mass index and waist circumference.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Record your weight in pounds: ______ pounds
Divide your weight in pounds by 2.2 to determine your weight in kilograms: ______ kilograms
Record your height in inches: ______ in
Divide your height in inches by 39.4 to determine your height in meters: ______ meters
Calculate your BMI using the following formula:
BMI = weight (kilograms)/height 2 (meters)
BMI = kg/m 2 = _______
Waist Circumference
Use a tape measure to measure the circumference of your waist (at the umbilicus with stomach muscles relaxed). Circumference of waist (umbilicus) = ________ in
Interpretation
1. When BMI is greater than 25, health risks from obesity often begin. It is especially advisable to consider weight loss if your BMI exceeds 30. Does yours exceed 25 (or 30)?
Yes ________ No ________
2. When a person has a BMI greater than 25 and a waist circumference of more than 40 inches (102 centimeters) in men or 35 inches (88 centimeters) in women, there is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. Does your waist circumference exceed the standard for your gender?
Yes ________ No ________
3. Do you feel you need to pursue a program of weight loss?
Yes ________ No ________
Application
From what you have learned in Chapter 7, what can you do to change your patterns of eating and physical activity to lose weight and help ensure maintenance of any loss?
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