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I wonder if being overweight plays a part in LS

Posted , 9 users are following.

suedm
suedm

As many people are discussing foods that can affect their wellbeing - I wondered if gaining weight or being over weight could be a contributing factor in flare ups - or even lass of wieght ?

I have a BMI of 26 apparently - ie not a stick person - and I didnt calculate it so perhaps a waist measurement  and height would be an easy way to determine whether there is a factor here that should go into the melting pot

3 likes, 24 replies

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  • kate207
    kate207 suedm

    Posted

    As regards BMI, it was a tool invented nearly 200 years ago to chart weight versus health in populations rather than individuals, it was a rough index of the overall nutritional status of the country. Current society places far to much emphasis on the actual individual figures, and many studies have shown that it is inaccurate when measuring fat versus muscle in athletes. Similarly, recent studies have shown that its healthier to be a bit overweight than underweight as you age. A friend in the insurance business told me that originally there were two scales for underwriters, for the over and under fifties, as it is an accepted fact that people everywhere begin to put on weight as they age.  However, it was decided that this was too much trouble for the actuaries to work with when calculating life expectancy, health risks etc so only one was adopted, and this spread out to the wider community as accepted fact. Can't say whether this is true but it makes sense to me! By all means watch your weight and eat a healthy diet, but don't obsess, as this just causes more stress. My BMI is 27.5 but I have a large frame -big hands and feet for my size - and I'm fit so I don't worry about it too much.

    It is always worth considering the origin of any of these so-called medical facts: there are many claims that the composition of the 'food pyramid' model in the US has been unduly influenced by presure groups in the agricultural industry such as the grain and dairy lobbies.

    • dakangelk8
      dakangelk8 kate207

      Posted

      We are obsessed with hitting the doctors targets but I know if I got to my lower "ideal weight" of 8.7lb I'd look so ill! 

      Sad that everyone plays into the medical persons hands by stressing, which then has a knock on effect with our health and indeed mental health xx

    • suedm
      suedm dakangelk8

      Posted

      My query about weight issues relate to the heat generated in  the nether regions when overweight, I find when being less bulky i dont get the soreness in my various abdominal wound sites and thought there might be a relationship with those hot little areas where LS strikes.

      I have always taken the middle course - there have been too many scare stories or wonder cures - the finding of which are frequently reversed - Even when the conventional scientists publish their results- think of  The Pill HRT breast implants "wonder" foods extreme actions are rarely sensible. 

      My view is if it aint broke don't fix it! But make sure that it doesnt break  in the first place, by looking after it...If you follow my meaning!

    • suedm
      suedm kate207

      Posted

      Thank you Kate for your response As you say The "ideal" weight was charted by actuaries in the late 1940/50's who looked at the age height sex and weight of people at death and extrapolated their findings for life insurance purposes. However there is clearly a relationship to extreme obesity and poor health. As we age our activity   levels can decrease and stamina too, so unless the consumption is altered to reflect this we will increase in weight pushing our tired organs  to work harder. I did suggest looking a waist measurements might be a better indicator - mine has increased fro an 18.5" when 18 years old to 32 today! - hips have only altered 5" in the same time!
    • Morrell1951
      Morrell1951 suedm

      Posted

      I do try to comfort myself with the fact that it's pretty normal to lose our waist definition over age 50. And BMI puts me just over the top of normal – all ages. I prefer to think I'm well within normal for age 62.
  • Chrisy
    Chrisy suedm

    Posted

    Something that came to mind when I was reading all these posts I think that all these docs and other medical bodies forget to take into account the fact that we and every other living thing on earth are evolving all the time.  What was normal 50 years ago is definately not normal now.  Our bodies are evolving along with getting bigger so I presume that our organs are evolving too and can cope with larger bodies.  I know only time will tell but I think we should all stop obsessing about weight and concentrate on how we feel.  I am sure that there are a lot of skinny people out there that are harming their bodies by restricting foods that their bodies actually need to stay healthy. 
    • suedm
      suedm Chrisy

      Posted

      Hi Chrisy, I agree obsessing about anything is to my mind counterproductive. I am the antithesis of OCD... I wanted to lose weight as my blood pressure was far too high - my mother was found dead in bed 2 years younger than I am now - More importantly my trousers were getting FAR TOP TIGHT, and i hate shopping! 

      If your theory is right than those proposing the Paleo diet have got some thinking to do. You are right in saying the medics dont look at  their patients conditions from the sufferer's perspective- well some do but not that many in my experience. I believe that historically it is only in the past 50 -60 years that our diets are such that many of us are overweight, and sadly it is our hearts kidneys and other organs than havent caught up yet to cope with the additional work load

  • Chrisy
    Chrisy suedm

    Posted

    Every diet I have ever read about seems to be the next best fix at first and later is found to be harmful in some way.  I am not dieting as such but eating healthily.  I have not put on weight for some 4 years now.  I am not losing much weight but I have been told that it is far healthier for my body to have a constant weight and not to be yo- yoing. A small loss consistently over years will result in a healthier body than a skinny under nurished body in a few months.  I even think the 5:2 diet craze at the moment may be fine for a short time but will eventually be found to cause other problems.  I hope I am wrong as it does seem to be helping with diabetes.  Just throwing more thoughts out there for consideration.
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