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More Than Half of Kentuckians Classified as Overweight and At Risk for Chronic Illness- - Archived

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David McArthur, Senior Manager, Media Relations
502.562.7016 or 502.648.3411                                                              
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More Than Half of Kentuckians Classified as Overweight and At Risk for Chronic Illness
KentuckyOne Health encourages safe, healthy, summer weight loss

 

 
Louisville, Ky. (June 4, 2018) – Kentucky has the seventh highest obesity rate in the nation, with 66 percent of Kentuckians classified as overweight and 34 percent considered obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Excessive weight doesn’t only affect the number on the scale, but it can lead to harmful, chronic illnesses. With summer upon us, it’s the perfect time to take control of your weight loss goals. KentuckyOne Health is encouraging those who are overweight to consider a safe and healthy weight loss program this summer.
 
“Summer is an ideal time to begin a weight loss journey,” said Paul Rogers, MD, KentuckyOne Health Cardiology Associates. “Fruits and vegetables tend to be fresher and more readily available, and since the daylight hours are longer, making time for exercise seems more feasible.”
 
Negative health effects of being overweight and obese include osteoarthritis, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea and other breathing problems, and a higher rate of morbidity. The condition can also lead to clinical depression and anxiety.
 
“An overweight or obese person is more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes and is also at increased risk for developing other health issues such as stroke, heart disease and breast, colon, kidney and liver cancers, which make up some of the leading causes of preventable death,” said Dr. Rogers. “Significant weight loss can reverse many of the complications associated with being overweight or obese.”
 
The most practical approach for assessing whether a person is overweight or obese is determining body mass index (BMI). A BMI of 25 to 29.9 kg/m2 is considered overweight and a BMI of greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 classifies as obese. Before beginning a weight loss program, first ask your primary care physician if you should be concerned about your BMI.
 
While there are many ways to treat overweight and obesity, calorie reduction and exercise remain the most effective. To keep weight off, it’s important to approach weight loss goals through a permanent lifestyle change and not simply a fad diet to reach a goal weight.
 
A healthy diet follows the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which emphasizes eating whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein, low-fat and fat-free dairy products and drinking plenty of water. It is recommended to eat home cooked meals and limit eating out to reduce calories.
 
Being physically active is one of the most important steps a person can take to improving their health. Exercise is also crucial to weight loss and weight maintenance. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends adults get at least two and a half hours of moderate intensity physical activity or an hour and 15 minutes of vigorous intensity activity per week. It’s important to remember that physical activity isn’t limited to working out at a gym. Many people use exercise as a chance to have fun with friends and family or enjoy the outdoors.  
 
Getting enough sleep is also crucial to weight loss and maintenance. Research shows that people who sleep less than seven hours per night are likely to have a higher BMI than those who sleep between seven and nine hours. Insufficient sleep impacts hormones that signal to the body when it’s hungry or full. Getting too little sleep can also affect the reward centers in the brain, making someone more likely to indulge in high-sugar foods for an easy energy boost.
 
Several factors must be considered when deciding to lose weight and improve health. The first step is talking with your primary care physician, who can determine your ideal body weight by calculating your BMI, while also taking into consideration your age, muscle to fat ratio, height and sex. Together, you can determine the best strategy to reach a weight loss goal.  
 
For more information about weight loss options through KentuckyOne Health, please visit
www.kentuckyonehealth.org//chi-saint-joseph-health/services/diabetes-nutrition-care/medical-nutrition-therapy/weight-management or call 502.587.4465.
 
About KentuckyOne Health
KentuckyOne Health, part of Catholic Health Initiatives, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth, and includes hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies in Kentucky and southern Indiana. KentuckyOne Health is dedicated to bringing wellness, healing and hope to all, including the underserved.
 
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Publish date: 

Monday, June 04, 2018