What's overweight?

Overweight is rather common in the population, but it can present some problems even if it is very far from obesity. Having a few extra pounds is not very serious in itself, but doctors often recommend that you get closer to normal body weight. There are a few simple tips that can be put in place to avoid gaining weight and lose overweight.

The definition of overweight

Etymologically speaking, an overweight person is defined as someone who is well-fleshed, with a small amount of excess fat 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.
However, overweight only applies to excess fat. If your BMI is above average but your body mass is mostly due to muscles, 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”. Above the threshold of 30, doctors establish the presence of proven obesity. The presence of a few extra pounds can sometimes pose some relatively minor health problems. Above all, it is important not to let the situation develop in the wrong direction. A medical follow-up to monitor the waist circumference is recommended.

The health consequences of being overweight

In concrete terms, a study(1) published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Jamaica) and conducted by Prof. Katherine Flegal confirmed that being overweight does not present more health risks than a normal corpulence. To reach this conclusion, the researchers compiled the largest studies published in recent years, involving 3 million people.
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 diabetes is increasing. However, the greatest danger lies in obese people.

Even if a slight overweight is not dangerous in itself, the most important thing is not to let the waist circumference increase uncontrollably. Being overweight doesn’t happen overnight and often has a cause: medication, stress, anxiety, night-time cravings… To avoid making the situation worse, it’s better to watch what you eat and the little daily habits. This way, you will be able to return to normal body weight and a BMI below 25.

How can overweight be reduced?

Reducing overweight is the best solution to avoid gaining waist circumference and risking obesity. Depending on how overweight you are, a few simple tips can help you lose weight.
The first thing to do is all to identify the cause of the excess weight. Some medications can make you gain weight. Also, anxious people may tend to take refuge in food to calm down. If the source of the problem cannot be identified or solved, then one must force oneself 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 kilos without even realizing it. Choose fruits and vegetables to help you feel full. If night cravings occur, increase the number of vegetables during dinner, or drink very hot green tea before going to bed.
These tips will allow you to lose a few pounds, but if you don’t see any results, don’t 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.