More than half of all West Australian adults are overweight or obese. If you have too much body fat, especially if a lot of it is in your waist area, you are at higher risk for health problems.
Being a healthy weight will help you to feel more energetic. It is also important for reducing your risk of developing a number of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.
By getting on track, you are challenging yourself to become or maintain a healthy weight in a fun and supportive environment.
There are two measures you can use to help answer this question.
A growing waistline is a sign that you could be at increased risk of serious chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.
This is because carrying too much fat around your waist (around your internal organs) is more dangerous to your health than carrying fat elsewhere on the body.
Measuring your waist is simple to do, just follow the points below:
- Measure halfway between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone, roughly in line with your belly button.
- Place a measuring tape directly against your skin.
- Breathe out normally and check your measurement
| Males |
|
If your waist measurement is over 94cm your risk of developing a chronic disease is increased. |
|
If your waist measurement is over 102cm your risk of developing a chronic disease is greatly increased. |
| Females |
|
If your waist is more than 80cm your risk of developing a chronic disease is increased. |
|
If your waist measurement is over 88cm your risk of developing a chronic disease is greatly increased. |
Click
here to go to the measure up campaign site.
BMI is a body fat estimate based on a comparison of your height to your weight. Your BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in metres squared.
To work out your BMI use the BMI calculator below:
| Classification |
BMI |
| Underweight |
Less than 18.5 |
| Healthy weight |
18.5 - 24.9 |
| Overweight |
25.0 - 29.9 |
| Obese |
More than 29.9 |
*Please note that for people with a higher muscle mass and older people who have lost muscle mass, this calculation may not be accurate. Calculations are not suitable for children.
The key to a healthy weight is to enjoy healthy eating and physical activity every day. It’s all about achieving a balance. Join the My Healthy Balance program to find out more about living a healthy lifestyle. Included in the program is an interactive Energy Balance Tool that shows the relationship between food consumption, physical activity and portion control. Visit www.myhealthybalance.com.au to sign up today!
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