Weight management is important for your general and reproductive health

Our Fort Worth and Grapevine obgyns strive to help you achieve optimal health. Getting to and maintaining a healthy weight benefits your overall health by reducing your risk of developing serious medical issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, joint issues and cardiovascular disease. Weight management also reduces your risk of developing breast, colon, gallbladder and endometrial cancers.

If you are overweight or obese, you have a higher risk of developing certain issues that affect your reproductive health.

• Fertility problems
• Problems during pregnancy, including gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
• Irregular periods

Weight management is also important during the perimenopausal and menopausal years. Overweight or obese women may suffer from more hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause than healthy weight women.

Weight management begins with good eating habits

A healthy diet that includes less processed food is beneficial for women at every age and weight. Processed food contains excess salt, sugar and saturated fats. Focus on healthy choices for weight management.

• Lean protein, including fish, poultry, nuts, eggs and beans
• Vegetables and fruits
• Fat-free or low-fat dairy or other sources of calcium
• Whole grains

Practice portion control and read labels. Meal planning also helps keep you on track.

If you are overweight or obese, you will need to cut calories. A healthy diet containing between 1200 to 1500 calories should produce a one to two pound weight loss per week.

How do you know if you are overweight or obese? Our Fort Worth and Grapevine obgyns can discuss your BMI and weight management with you at your annual wellness visit. Your BMI, or body mass index, indicates whether you need to lose weight.

• Normal BMI: 18.5 to 24.9
• Overweight BMI: 25 to 29.9
• Obese BMI: 30 and over

Exercise provides health benefits for women of all ages

Exercise helps with weight management and overall health. When you get proper exercise, you lower your risk of developing serious medical problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, arthritis and osteoporosis. Other benefits include stress reduction and better quality of sleep.

Follow these simple guidelines to improve your overall health with exercise.

• Participate in moderate aerobic activities, including walking and biking, that raise your heart rate for two and a half hours each week. Or, participate in vigorous aerobic activities like jogging or running for one hour and 15 minutes per week.
• Include muscle strengthening activities at least twice a week

Weight management helps you get and stay healthy at every stage of life. Our Fort Worth and Grapevine obgyns can advise you about healthy weight, diet and exercise. Contact us for an appointment.

 

Frequently Asked Questions