Weight Control and Health

Since 1962, researchers at the Human Population Laboratory of the California Department of Health had studied the relationship of health to various behaviors or habits. Health and longevity are associated with the following:

• Adequate sleep (7 to 8 hours per day)
• A good breakfast
• Regular meals — avoid snacks
• Weight control
• Not smoking cigarettes
• Moderate alcohol consumption
• Regular exercise

When weight is more than 20% above or more than 10% below the desirable weight, health status declines, says Dr. Brian J. Sharkey in his book Fitness and Health. For example, if your desirable weight is listed as 150 pounds, your health status is most favourable when you maintain your weight between 135 (minus 10%) and 180 (plus 20%), a broad margin of error indeed.

To learn how to calculate your ideal weight, click here.