Overweight, what is it?

Overweight is quite common in the population, but it can present some problems even if it is very far from obesity. Having a few extra pounds isn’t a big deal on its own, but doctors often recommend getting closer to a normal build. There are some fairly simple tips to put in place to avoid gaining weight and losing weight.

The definition of overweight

Etymologically speaking, we speak of being overweight to designate a person who is plump , with a small surplus of adipose tissue and a few extra pounds. In the medical sense of the term, overweight refers to people who are overweight , and who exceed a BMI of 25 according  to the WHO classification .
Be careful though, being overweight only applies to excess fat . If your BMI is above average but your body mass is mostly muscle, this definition does not apply. The classification of nutritional status does not take into account the body’s metabolism .

Being overweight can also be called “pre-obesity”. Beyond the threshold of 30, doctors establish the presence of proven obesity. The presence of a few extra pounds can sometimes cause some relatively minor health problems . Above all, it is important not to let the situation develop in the wrong direction. Medical follow-up to monitor waist circumference is recommended.

The consequences of being overweight on health

In concrete terms, a study ⁽¹⁾  published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Jama) and conducted by Professor Katherine Flegal confirmed that being overweight did not present any more health risks than normal corpulence . To reach this conclusion, the researchers compiled the largest studies published in recent years, with 3 million people involved.
In its recommendations, the WHO nevertheless specifies that these few kilos are not an immediate danger, but that the risk of high blood pressure, the development of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetesis increasing. However, the greatest danger is in obese people.

Even if being slightly overweight is not dangerous in itself, the important thing is above all not to let the waist circumference increase uncontrollably. Being overweight doesn’t happen overnight and often has a cause: medication, stress, anxiety, nocturnal cravings… To avoid making the situation worse, it’s better to watch your diet and the little daily habits. Thus, you will be able to regain a normal corpulence and a BMI of less than 25.

How to reduce overweight?

Reducing overweight is the best solution to avoid gaining waistline and risking obesity . Depending on the overweight, some fairly simple tips can help you lose weight.
The first thing to do is to identify the cause of the extra pounds . Some medications can make you fat. In addition, anxious people may tend to seek refuge in food to calm down. If the source of the problem cannot be identified or resolved, then you have to force yourself to follow a few injunctions.

Saturated fats and refined sugars are the worst enemies of a balanced diet. By eliminating these two factors, it is easy to lose two pounds without even realizing it. Choose fruits and vegetables to be full enough. If nighttime cravings appear, increase the amount of vegetables during dinner, or drink a very hot green tea before bed.
These tips will allow you to lose a few pounds, but if you do not see any results, do not hesitate to consult a nutritionist who will be able to advise you on diets adapted to your morphology or your health problems, if you have any.