The information you need about healthy nutrition and weight management
The team at Athens ObGyn wants you to know more about nutrition and weight management. Your diet and level of physical activity are essential parts of preventive care. When you come to see your doctor for your well-woman exam, he or she will talk to you about your weight, diet and physical activity levels. We know these probably aren’t your favorite subjects, but your weight, what you eat and how much you exercise all affect various aspects of your health.
How nutrition and weight management affect your health
With a busy schedule, work and children, you may not pay much attention to nutrition and weight. However, we want to change that. Taking the time to eat well and exercise helps you stay healthy and energized. If you are severely underweight, overweight or obese, you have an increased risk of developing several health conditions.
- Heart issues, including heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke
- Several types of cancer
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis
- Issues with your menstrual cycle
- Sleep apnea
- Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety
Thankfully, our doctors can help you make lifestyle changes to avoid developing these issues. This begins with understanding your BMI.
Your BMI, or body mass index, is an important tool that our doctors use to determine whether you are at a healthy weight. This measurement is something your ObGyn will discuss with you when he or she talks about nutrition and weight management. Here are the BMI ranges you need to know.
- Underweight is under 18.5
- Normal weight is 18.5-24.9
- Overweight is 25-29.9
- Obese is 30 or higher
Armed with this information, you and your doctor can work together to help achieve a healthy body weight through nutrition and exercise.
How to eat healthier and make physical activity a part of your daily life
A healthy diet isn’t just about what you eat, but also how much you eat. You need to eat healthy portions and have a varied diet. Half of your plate should be fruits and vegetables to help with nutrition and weight management. Divide the other half between whole grains and lean proteins. Add low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and limit foods with high sodium, saturated fats and added sugars.
As for exercise, it’s not just for weight loss. It’s also important for your heart and lung health and overall wellbeing. You should aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity. You can also do a mix of the two. Moderate activity includes brisk walking, casual biking and light yard work. Vigorous activity includes running, cross-country skiing and most competitive sports.
The team at Athens ObGyn is here to help you get and stay healthy
Talk to the doctors at Athens ObGyn to learn more about nutrition and weight. Our physicians want to help you feel your best. Contact us for an appointment.