Losing Just 10% of Bodyweight Cuts Health Risks

Statistics show that obesity-related deaths are on the rise. The prevalence of morbid obesity - medically defined as 100 or more pounds overweight - is increasing rapidly. According to the U.S. Surgeon General's office, obesity will soon become the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., overtaking cigarette smoking.

Statistics put out by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that overweight people are more likely to suffer from diabetes and heart disease, and overweight women have a 50% greater risk for certain types of cancers.

There is good news, though. Recent studies indicate that a little weight loss can go a long way in reducing health risks. One study conducted by Dr. Steven Narod of the University of Toronto in Canada suggests that by losing just 10 pounds can reduce the cancer risk for women by up to 65%.


And according to information from the American Obesity Association, losing as little as 5 to 10% of your body weight, and keeping it off, can significantly decrease insulin levels and high blood pressure, thereby decreasing your risk for diabetes, stroke and heart attack.

The message is clear: When it comes to your health, every pounds makes a difference.

What's Your BMI?

BMI stands for Body Mass Index. is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women.

Calculating BMI

Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703.

Formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703

Example: Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5'5" (65")

Calculation: [150 ÷ (65)2] x 703 = 24.96

BMI Categories:
    Underweight = <18.5
    Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
    Overweight = 25-29.9
    Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

What It Means to Your Health

Dropping a single BMI category can significantly reduce many health risks. And, believe it or not, it's not as difficult as you might think, if you have the right tools. For example, in one study on the more than 1,400 participants dropped an entire BMI category, on average.