Everyone has a different perception of weight, size, and how we should live in the skin we’re in. BMI charts, media messages and other external factors can all get jumbled in our brain and leave us questioning our relationship with weight.
Weight Matters for Your Health
Are you wondering whether or not your weight is something you need to address? Here at the Your Weight Matters Campaign, we believe that answer should come first and foremost by looking at your health and quality of life – not from a comment made by a family member or mainstream media.
It’s important to understand your weight and how it impacts your health. More than 50 health conditions are related to excess weight, including:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure and cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Sleep apnea
- Stroke
- Osteoarthritis
- Some cancers
- Depression and anxiety
Even on its own, weight can be a serious concern because it increases inflammation in the body. When combined with some of the weight-related conditions above, weight can negatively affect your health and quality of life. If that is the case for you, it is a good idea to measure your weight and have a conversation with your healthcare provider.
Looking at Your Goals
Now that you know how weight impacts health, it’s important to look at your individual circumstances to see how weight-loss fits in.
Addressing your weight with a healthcare provider might be a good idea if:
- You want to increase your energy level
- You want to sleep better
- You want to relieve or get rid of weight-related health conditions
- You want to be able to do active activities like hiking, biking, or even playing with your kids or grand kids
- You want to feel happier and more confident in your body
Note that these factors are related to your personal health and wellness. The decision to address weight should not come from someone’s personal opinion or the weight stigma that is rooted in society. It is a personal decision and one you should feel empowered to make on your own.
Addressing Your Weight
If you feel that your weight is impacting your health and quality of life, you should schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider – preferably one that has experience with weight management and positive reviews from other patients.
We know that having this conversation can be nerve-wrecking, so check out this resource from the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) to help: OAC’s Obesity Care Provider Locator. It can help you find a doctor who specializes in this area.
Here are some tips for working with your healthcare provider to address weight:
- Explain to your provider the history of your weight including life events, current/past medications, and any health conditions have/have had.
- Come prepared to talk about your personal health goals and concerns
- Keep a record of your daily exercise and food habits.
- If you don’t feel comfortable when speaking with your provider, they may not be a good fit. Don’t be afraid to look for someone else.
For more information on this subject, CLICK HERE.
