Normal Weight but Also Obese
We’ve all heard of obesity. We understand that it’s not good for our health, and we usually associate it with being overweight. But did you know there’s a hidden form of obesity, even if you’re at a ‘normal’ weight according to the scales? It’s called “normal weight obesity” (NWO), and it’s more common than you might think.
To put it simply, NWO means you have a normal weight but a high percentage of body fat. Shockingly, around 30 million Americans might be dealing with this issue, and it affects between 4.5% to 22% of people worldwide. The reason it’s so tricky is that you might look ‘normal’ on the outside, but inside, your body could be storing up health problems.
BMI Falls Short
One of the main reasons why NWO is so under-the-radar is because we usually use something called the Body Mass Index (BMI) to measure obesity. BMI is a calculation based on your height and weight, but it doesn’t tell us anything about how much body fat we have. So, someone could have a normal BMI but still have a lot of body fat, which is essentially what NWO is.
Health Risks
The thing about NWO is that it’s not just about looking a certain way. It can bring health problems, too. Compared to people of a similar weight but with a normal amount of body fat, people with NWO can have changes in their body that cause inflammation and stress. They can also have hidden heart and metabolic changes, which can increase the risk of heart disease and other serious conditions.
NWO Cause
We’re not totally sure what causes NWO, but it might be a mix of things like your genes, your diet, and how much exercise you get. The key thing to remember is that catching NWO early could be a big help in preventing heart disease.
There’s a lot we still don’t know about NWO. We need more research to figure out exactly what causes it, how it affects our bodies and the best ways to treat it. It would be helpful if scientists could agree on a standard measure of body fat that could be used to diagnose NWO, which would make it easier to study and understand.
What You Can Do
In the meantime, it’s important for all of us to realize that being a ‘normal’ weight doesn’t always mean we’re healthy. Checking your body fat as well as your weight, eating a balanced diet, and staying active can help keep you healthy inside and out.
In the end, NWO is a real but often overlooked health issue. We need to rethink how we see weight and health and remember that what’s on the inside matters just as much as what’s on the outside. By spreading the word about NWO, we can help more people understand this hidden health risk and take steps to stay healthy.
Take Action
Remember this: normal weight doesn’t always equal health. It’s crucial to look beyond the scales and acknowledge the potential hidden risks. As a first step towards understanding and addressing normal weight obesity, I invite you to sign up for my free online course, ‘Gut Check for Overweight Women.’
This course is designed to empower you with knowledge and tools to manage your weight holistically. It’s not just about losing pounds; it’s about gaining health.
Knowledge is power, and understanding your body is the first step towards better health. So, don’t wait for tomorrow; take control of your health today. Click here to sign up for the ‘Gut Check for Overweight Women’ course and start your journey to a healthier you. Remember, you are more than the number on the scale. Let’s redefine what health truly means together.
Until next time, stay well!
Dr. Tobi