6) CONTROLLING WEIGHT
b) What is "Overweight"
As shown previously, most if not all persons with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. Every pound that can be taken off will contribute to the well being of the person with type 2 diabetes. It is difficult for a person with type 2 diabetes to be "too thin". Believe it or not, 150 pounds is not too low for a six foot frame. A person with type 2 diabetes should be in the lower "normal" weight range for their height, with a body fat content of 5% to 10%. A chart from the USDA shows a rough scale:
Desirable "Normal" Body Weight Ranges for Adults
Height and ............................Weight
..............................without shoes, without clothes
..................................Men ......................Women
..............................(pounds)................. (pounds)
4'10" ....................................................... 92-121
4'11" ....................................................... 95-124
5'0" ......................................................... 98-127
5'1" ..................... 105-134 ................. 101-130
5'2" ..................... 108-137 ................. 104-134
5'3" ..................... 111-141 ................. 107-138
5'4" ..................... 114-145 ................. 110-142
5'5" ..................... 117-149 ................. 114-146
5'6" ..................... 121-154 ................. 118-150
5'7" ..................... 125-159 ................. 122-154
5'8" ..................... 129-163 ................. 126-159
5'9" ..................... 133-167 ................. 130-164
5'10" ....................137-172 ................. 134-169
5'11" ....................141-177
6'0" ..................... 145-182
6'1" ..................... 149-187
6'2" ..................... 153-192
6'3" ..................... 157-197Another way to look at weight is to pull in the stomach muscles, then grab a fold of fat around the stomach. The thickness of the resulting fold is a good index of the amount of body fat. Physical trainers measure this parameter with calipers to calculate the percentage of body fat and the ideal weight. Many studies have shown that being overweight reduces a person's life expectancy, even if that person doesn't have diabetes. One of the reasons for the reduction in life expectancy with being overweight is clearly the simple fact that being overweight predisposes a person to diabetes and heart disease. And both diabetes and heart disease will kill if they aren't properly controlled.
Current Chapter: 6) CONTROLLING WEIGHT
a) Introduction
b) What is "Overweight"
c) The Endless Cycles of an Overweight Person with Type 2 Diabetes
d) Food and Diet
e) Food "Rules"
f) USDA Food Pyramid
g) Adaptive Human Body
h) Timing of Meals
i) Serving Size
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