Physical Well-Being
We are all probably very aware about how being at an unhealthy weight can affect our physical
well-being. According to WebMD, a healthy weight lies between 18.5 and 24.9 on the Body
Mass Index. If your BMI is over 24.9, then healthcare professionals may consider you
overweight. If your BMI is under 18.5, then you may be considered underweight. This range is
not an absolute and your healthcare professional will be better able to advise you about your
weight situation.

That said, various diseases or health issues can plague us if we our not at healthy weights. If we
are dangerously underweight, we may have a weakened immune system or be susceptible to
osteoporosis. If we are obese, various diseases may plague us, such as Type 2 diabetes, heart
disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, sleep apnea, and stroke. Additionally, we may be unable to
use our bodies efficiently if we are at an unhealthy weight. Not only will we be plagued by
disease, but our quality of life diminishes when we cannot perform everyday tasks. How then can
we provide high-quality performance at work, at school, or in their personal relationships when
everything becomes much harder than it needs to be? Even the gift of waking up in the morning
becomes problematic when we have spent the entire night, tossing and turning because of body
pains or disease symptoms.

Emotional Well-being
Now that we realize how remaining at an unhealthy weight can affect our health, let’s consider
the second facet of a quality life, which is emotional well-being. To many of us, refusing to eat
properly during emotional or stressful times seems comforting, even medicinal. We may decide
to feast on a large bowl of chocolate dessert because we’ve had a rough day at work. Or, the we
may decide to skip several meals because we are unhappy with the way things are going in life.
We generally eat emotionally when we are stressed, bored, depressed, or angry. This eating, or
lack thereof, is usually done in order to relieve the difficult feelings. In effect, food is used as a
substitute pain reliever, comforter, or counselor during such times.

But emotional eating is like adding water to an oil-fire. The fire burns and burns because the
proper actions are not taken to extinguish it. Difficult emotions require special treatment, but when these emotions are fueled by improper eating habits, they only amplify. When we use food
to satisfy feelings of boredom, anxiety, stress, or anger, we remain emotionally unfulfilled
because whatever triggered the emotion remains. It is up to us to address the issue that is causing
these emotions. If the situation that stresses us cannot be alleviated in any way, then it may be a
better idea to substitute emotional eating with another action. You can do an activity that you
enjoy i.e. listen to music, talk to a friend, go jogging, etc. The key is to find an activity that will
help you avoid emotional eating.

Social Well-being
If emotional eating is not controlled, it can lead to a lack of satisfaction with our appearance or
even character. This could certainly affect our self-esteem and affect us socially. We may decide
to wear clothes that are less becoming, simply because we do not feel that any type of clothing
can make us attractive. An unhealthy relationship with food could keep us from enjoying many
of life’s pleasures, whether it be relaxing at the beach with friends, going hiking, windowshopping
at the mall, strolling through a fascinating city, going to the pub with friends –
anything. Furthermore, personal relationships may be affected when those near us see that we no
longer care for ourselves.

While we should remain aware of how unhealthy eating can affect all areas of life, we should
also understand how healthy eating will provide a tremendously positive impact on the quality of
life. Though this may sound cliché, it is true that we only get one body in a lifetime. Let’s help
make it a good body and a good life.

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• Belly Fat Linked to Dementia

The study was conducted on over 6000 people and suggests that the higher the ratio of belly fat in your mid-40s, the greater the risk of acquiring dementia. Upon entering the study, participants ranged in ages 40 to 45 between the years of 1964 through 1973. The participants were followed up until 2006 where they were as old at 87.

They found that a waistline of 39 inches or higher faced more than three times the chance of developing dementia compared to a lean waist line. This was also true for those who were not obese yet had a lot of belly fat.

The fat was measured by researches through a method known as sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD). The studies found no such correlation for fat deposits in the thigh area. However, even after accounting for other diseases, bad habits, and lower education – the risk for dementia increased steadily with the amount of fat in the abdomen.

People with big bellies were still twice as likely to acquire dementia even though their Body Mass Index (BMI) was considered healthy. A (BMI) determines whether an person is overweight or obese. Furthermore, a large girth with an apparent healthy (BMI) was at the same risk as those who were overweight or obese.

The studies conclude that fat around the abdomen is the most dangerous. Belly fat is the worst because of its proximity to major organs. The fat around the stomach is more metabolically active and secretes lethal chemicals fueling inflammation and constricting the blood vessels, which damage the brain cells. Moreover, belly fat may also advance the accumulation of amyloid which is a substance connected to Alzheimer’s. Research has also indicated that obese people have a higher level of amyloid in their blood.

These findings acknowledge another good reason for individuals to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. In order to know where you stand in terms of your risk for disease use a tape measure to size up your waistline. Be sure to breathe normally and don’t suck your stomach in while measuring. A belly circumference of 33 inches or more for women represents an unhealthy amount of belly fat. According to experts, a belly size of 39 inches or more for men increases the risk for chronic disease.

Researches conclude that the best way to reduce the risk of disease in later years is to exercise regularly every day. Try to focus on major muscle groups and the good news is when one becomes active the first kind of fat loss is in the midsection.

Eat healthfully by choosing lean and natural foods. Replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat and increase your intake of complex carbohydrates like fruits and fiber. Reduce carbohydrates like pasta and white bread and if you need to loose weight reduce portion sizes and calorie intake.

Lastly, reduce stress and anxiety by leaving work at the office and focusing on activities that encourage rest and relaxation. Yoga is a good option because it reduces stress and is a gentle form of exercise.

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