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Normal Weight Obesity: What You Need to Know

Good news: obesity rates for American children have finally started to level off after a 25-year increase, based on data submitted by the National Center for Health Statistics. Researchers continue to monitor this trend for further information, but are treating this crest with cautious optimism.  “We are not out of the woods yet,” one expert stressed.

While this is a positive development, reports indicate that far too many Americans are still 20% or more than their recommended weight based on age, gender, height and build. A newer concern is what is being labeled ‘normal-weight obesity’, characterized by a high percentage of body fat despite a normal BMI (body mass index).  This means greater than 20% body fat in men, and greater than 30% in women. According to experts, normal-weight obesity is highly prevalent, and is associated with significantly elevated cardiovascular risk and an increased predisposition to metabolic syndrome. To counter this, deliberate screening is needed, as experts agree that “self-awareness is the first step to behavior modification”, and that “most of the cardiometabolic dysregularities are potentially reversible” through diet, physical activity and medical measures.

Hodgson Mill wants to meet the dietary needs of consumers to help them reduce body fat.  Numerous studies have correlated intake of whole grain foods to reduction of body fat, especially around the stomach region. Fiber in whole grain foods binds with substances containing fat and cholesterol, and passes them through the body. Recommended consumption of whole grains daily is about 3 ounces, equivalent to just 3 slices of whole grain bread or 1 1/2 cup of whole grain pasta or rice.

More research on normal weight obesity is being done, and evidence for risks continues to mount. This conflicts with the longheld belief that maintaining a normal weight automatically guards against disorders such as high levels of circulating blood fats and tendency to develop metabolic syndrome, which often leads to type 2 diabetes. It may well be time to come up with new criteria for cardiovascular health risk factors, focusing more on measuring the belly or assessing percentage of body fat.  Hodgson Mill cares about the health and well-being of its consumers and employees, and will keep you informed