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National Healthy Weight Month: Start new year with body weight awareness

  • Published
  • By 87th Medical Group
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Now that 2011 is here and the holiday season has past, it is a good time to reflect on body weight. Contrary to popular belief, most people do not gain five to ten pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Research done by the National Institute of Health found the average person only gains about one pound over the holiday season. The problem occurs, when the one pound gained is not lost over the year. Just think, if one pound was gained every year during the holiday season for 10 years, the weight would add quickly.

Gaining more weight then recommended for the body can put a strain on the heart and increase risks for chronic diseases. A healthy weight is defined by the Body Mass Index of 18.5 to 24.9. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. The higher the BMI, the higher the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, type two diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems and certain cancers. Improving BMI by just one point can decrease the risk for these diseases.

Although BMI can be used for most men and women, it does have some limits:
· It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build
· It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle

If someone believes the BMI is not specific for their body type, the best option would be a body fat analysis. Although there are several ways to do that, the Health and Wellness Center offers one of the most scientifically proven assessments, the BOD POD. The BOD POD is 99 percent accurate and specifically measures your body composition based on air displacement.

It is important to calculate the numbers before embarking on this New Year. In honor of January's Healthy Weight Month, Dana Maurer, registered dietitian at the Health and Wellness Center, will be doing healthy weight screenings. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst community members can visit the HAWC Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. during the month of January to get the BMI screening. For individuals who prefer a more accurate assessment of their healthy weight feel free to schedule a BOD POD appointment. The first 100 participants to come in for a healthy weight screening and/or get a BOD POD assessment during the month of Janaury will receive a free t-shirt.

In March, come back to the HAWC for National Nutrition Month. Each participant who improved their BMI or Body Fat percentage will receive a free gift.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the HAWC at 754-2462.