…in terms of weight, I mean.

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third (36.5%) of U.S. adults have obesity. Obesity can lead to conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death.

We can measure our Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine our bodies’ fatness. A BMI is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters.

• If your BMI is less than 18.5, it falls within the underweight range.
• If your BMI is 18.5 to <25, it falls within the normal.
• If your BMI is 25.0 to <30, it falls within the overweight range.
• If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the obese range.

This is why I think it is very important for us know our BMIs. Once we realize we maybe well in the “overweight” range, we need to work hard to make sure it doesn’t progress to the “obese” range.

As a Public Health professional, I obviously know this kind of information. However, I am a hypocrite. I am obese. I was recently diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension. I was always overweight, even as a child. I could have worked harder to maintain my body weight, but it was too hard. My cultural (Asian/Burmese) foods are too tempting. I didn’t have time to prepare nutritious meals. Healthy fast food costs too much …and my reasons go on.

I am the heaviest I have ever been right now, due to full time grad school, full time work, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy food choices. My recent diagnoses were definitely a wakeup call. At this point, I can’t complain “my friends eat like me too but they’re not fat” and just let my weight issues be. If I don’t make a change now, I will be at risk of so many adverse health conditions, and soon too.

This is why I’ve decided to participate in USG’s Biggest Loser Challenge starting this Monday, Feb 20th by joining the process of weighing in between 12:30-1:30pm. It’s a 10-weeks weight loss contest hosted by the Campus Rec Center.

I want to invite everyone to join in this challenge too, if you can!

Let’s lose weight together!
Let’s lose (or decrease) our risks of disease!
Let’s lose our negative attitudes and live healthier lifestyles!
Let’s all be losers together. 🙂