The Benefits of Keeping a Healthy Weight

How Weight Affects Health

The ideal weight is not the same for everyone — and you may wonder what the term “healthy weight” means for you. Determining your ideal weight to keep you at optimal health depends on many different factors, including your height, sex, BMI (body mass index), and many other factors.

If you are concerned about whether or not you are currently at a healthy weight, it’s best to consult your doctor to make that determination. In the meantime, read on to learn the top three benefits of maintaining a healthy weight.

1. Improve Heart Health

Keeping your weight consistently healthy can decrease your risk of serious heart problems, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. When you are within a healthy weight range, your body can circulate blood more efficiently. You will also have more energy to exercise and do other activities that can help maintain your weight and improve heart health.

If you are concerned about your heart health, you can take Parrish Healthcare’s free cardiovascular risk assessment to learn your risk of developing heart disease.

2.Increase Health of Your Bones and Joints

Bones and joints are weight-bearing, and being overweight can put a strain on them. Not only can extra weight put added pressure on your bones and joints, but it can also lead to joint problems such as arthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis.

Excess weight may also play a role in increasing the chances of fractures in the ankles, hips, thighs, and shin bones. Maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent these types of bone and joint problems.

3. Reduce Your Risk in Developing Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, being overweight can lead to increased risk in developing the following types of cancer:

• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Cancers of the endometrium
• Esophagus cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Pancreatic cancer

Eating a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, and lean meats can keep you at a healthy weight, thus limiting your risk of developing cancer.

If you are concerned about your chances of developing cancer, Parrish Healthcare offers a free Healthaware Risk assessment where you can learn your risks in developing certain cancers. The following links will take you to these assessments:

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer

Take Parrish Healthcare’s WeightAware Risk Assessment Test

If you are concerned about keeping a healthy weight, take our free WeightAware Risk Assessment test. Answering a few simple questions can provide you with valuable information about your risk of developing obesity-related health problems. To learn more about keeping a healthy weight, contact Parrish Healthcare today. We offer many programs, including nutritional counseling, to help you achieve your healthy weight goals.