If you live in the Sooner State, one out of every three people you meet will be obese. That’s at least according to a new Gallup/Healthways Well-Being index survey. 353,564 people were interviewed over the past year and were asked their height and weight. With this information, their body mass index was calculated and they were given a BMI score. Any score over 30 was indicative of obesity. When the final numbers were tallied, it did not look too good for Oklahoma. Although Oklahoma did improve on previous years when it was listed as high as sixth, Oklahoma still ranked in the top ten for most obese states in the nation; it was number nine. West Virginia was the most obese state and Colorado the least.
With that in mind, let’s try to make 2013 the year Oklahoma gets out of the bottom ten and achieves better health and fitness. Numerous studies across the board have indicated that being obese puts you at a greater risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, cancer, and many more illnesses. So what can you do to take the weight off and get back into shape?
Samantha Wideman is part of a team of writers and specializes in writing about current news events.
Learn more about how to be healthy. You can get more health tips by going to the home page here: Face Final, where you will see a list of health topics or if you wish, you can use the search bar to search for a specific topic. May God bless you.
With that in mind, let’s try to make 2013 the year Oklahoma gets out of the bottom ten and achieves better health and fitness. Numerous studies across the board have indicated that being obese puts you at a greater risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, cancer, and many more illnesses. So what can you do to take the weight off and get back into shape?
- Diet: They say that your weight is ninety percent based on your diet. However, too many of us are consuming too much processed foods, fast foods, soda and sugary sweets. Clean your eating habits by trying a diet that you can live with. US News and World Report recently listed its best diets for 2013, and the Dash Diet came out at number 1. Experts said it was easy to follow and effective. However, any diet will work – from Mediterranean and Ornish to Vegan and Paleo – if you stick with it and eliminate all of the junk.
- Exercise: That other ten percent goes into exercise. Most doctors recommend two and a half hours of exercise and strength training a week to maintain body weight. And you don’t have to stick to a gym either. Go for a walk outside, play with your kids or vacuum the house. Just get off the couch and get moving!
- Sleep: The amount you sleep matters too. If you sleep more than nine hours or fewer than six, you’re more likely to be obese.
- Surgery if you need it: For some, the might be Oklahoma weight loss surgery. If you and your doctors agree, bariatric procedures are highly effective and safe. They can allow you to live your life again if you’ve been inhibited because of your weight.
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Samantha Wideman is part of a team of writers and specializes in writing about current news events.
Learn more about how to be healthy. You can get more health tips by going to the home page here: Face Final, where you will see a list of health topics or if you wish, you can use the search bar to search for a specific topic. May God bless you.