Carrying extra weight increases the risk for health conditions

Check Your Numbers 

Carrying extra weight increases the risk for health conditions* such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, and osteoarthritis. 

It also impacts your self-esteem and confidence and can dampen your desire to participate in activities you enjoy. Don’t wait for your weight to lead to other health problems. There are three numbers you can assess to determine if you need to lose weight: your BMI, your waist measurement, and the risk factors that you can determine from your family health history. 

^{*NIH, NHLBI Obesity Education Initiative. Clinical Guidelines on the identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults.}