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Do you need to lose weight? With obesity and weight-related health concerns hitting the headlines every day it’s hard to ignore the dangers of being overweight, but many of us feel confused by the ever changing ‘diet rules’. What is certain though is that the chances of being affected by bowel cancer increase if you have a poor diet or are overweight. Before embarking on any weight-loss plan it’s important to know how much weight you need to lose. This can be done with three easy methods. 1. Measure your body mass index The higher your Body Mass Index (BMI), the more at risk you are of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. By inputting your height and weight into a BMI calculator, you can see if your weight is within a healthy range or not. However, there are a few points to consider. “Looking at BMI doesn’t take into account muscular composition,” explains Guernsey’s Community Dietician, Eleanore Gould. “For example, someone with low body fat and a muscular body could have a higher BMI because muscle mass weighs more than fat.” 2. Measure your waist Slip a tape measure around the widest part of your abdomen, just after you have breathed out. If your waist circumference is more than 80cm for women or 94cm for men, this indicates excess abdominal fat. “This method is an accurate way of predicting those at increased cardiovascular risk,” says Eleanore. 3. Divide your hip and waist Measure your waist and hips, then divide the waist measurement by your hip measurement. If the figure is higher than 0.8 for women or 0.9 for men, you’re storing excess visceral fat. Body shape and weight loss We’ve also been told those with an ‘apple-shape’ (weight around the abdomen) are a high-risk group, whereas those with a ‘pear-shape’ (weight around the bottom and thighs) are less at risk of weight-related conditions. “Don’t get confused by things like body shape, a high waist circumference or a BMI over 30kg/m2 will indicate increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer,’ states Eleanor. After determining if weight loss is important for your optimal health, the next stage is looking at a portion-controlled, healthy eating plan, alongside increasing your daily exercise levels. Why not read more about some easy lifestyle changes that could help improve your health and lower your BMI at www.bowelcancerguernsey.gg? Eleanore Gould, Community Dietician Go to www.bowelcancerguernsey.gg to download friendly nutrition information, exercise ideas, healthy food swaps and recipes BOWEL CANCER GUERNSEY www.bowelcancerguernsey.org Find Bowel Cancer Guernsey on Facebook RAISING AWARENESS OF MALE CANCERS www.mug.gg Find MUG on Facebook Male Uprising Guernsey If you experience symptons, don’t sit on it, sort it.

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Do you need to lose weight?

With obesity and weight-related health concerns hitting the headlines every day it’s hard to ignore the dangers of being overweight, but many of us feel confused by the ever changing ‘diet rules’. What is certain though is that the chances of being affected by bowel cancer increase if you have a poor diet or are overweight.

Before embarking on any weight-loss plan it’s important to know how much weight you need to lose. This can be done with three easy methods.

1. Measure your body mass index

The higher your Body Mass Index (BMI), the more at risk you are of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. By inputting your height and weight into a BMI calculator, you can see if your weight is within a healthy range or not. However, there are a few points to consider. “Looking at BMI doesn’t take into account muscular composition,” explains Guernsey’s Community Dietician, Eleanore Gould. “For example, someone with low body fat and a muscular body could have a higher BMI because muscle mass weighs more than fat.”

2. Measure your waist

Slip a tape measure around the widest part of your abdomen, just after you have breathed out. If your waist circumference is more than 80cm for women or 94cm for men, this indicates excess abdominal fat. “This method is an accurate way of predicting those at increased cardiovascular risk,” says Eleanore.

3. Divide your hip and waist

Measure your waist and hips, then divide the waist measurement by your hip measurement. If the figure is higher than 0.8 for women or 0.9 for men, you’re storing excess visceral fat.

Body shape and weight loss

We’ve also been told those with an ‘apple-shape’ (weight around the abdomen) are a high-risk group, whereas those with a ‘pear-shape’ (weight around the bottom and thighs) are less at risk of weight-related conditions. “Don’t get confused by things like body shape, a high waist circumference or a BMI over 30kg/m2 will indicate increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer,’ states Eleanor.

After determining if weight loss is important for your optimal health, the next stage is looking at a portion-controlled, healthy eating plan, alongside increasing your daily exercise levels. Why not read more about some easy lifestyle changes that could help improve your health and lower your BMI at www.bowelcancerguernsey.gg?

Eleanore Gould, Community Dietician

Go to www.bowelcancerguernsey.gg to download friendly nutrition information, exercise ideas, healthy food swaps and recipes

BOWEL CANCER GUERNSEY

www.bowelcancerguernsey.orgFind Bowel Cancer Guernsey on Facebook

RAISING AWARENESS OF MALE CANCERS

www.mug.ggFind MUG on Facebook

Male Uprising Guernsey

If you experience symptons, don’t sit on it, sort it.