Minority Women's Health

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Overweight and Obesity

Minority Women's Health > Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians > Health Topics > Overweight and Obesity

Among Asian American/Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian women, being overweight is a problem for Native Hawaiians and Samoans.

Being overweight or obese increases your risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, breathing problems, arthritis, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea (breathing problems while sleeping), osteoarthritis, and some cancers. Obesity is measured with a body mass index (BMI). BMI shows the relationship of weight to height. Women with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight, while women with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese. All adults (aged 18 years or older) who have a BMI of 25 or more are considered at risk for early death and disability from being overweight or obese. These health risks increase as the BMI rises.

Where your body stores extra weight is also important. For most women, carrying extra weight around their waists or middle (with a waist larger than 35 inches) raises health risks more than carrying extra weight around their hips or thighs. These health risks include heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can lower your risk for many diseases. And exercise is a key part of weight loss. Try to be active (30 minutes most days of the week is best) and eat better to help prevent and treat obesity.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, published jointly by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture, can help you reach your goals. These guidelines offer advice on choosing healthy foods, keeping a healthy weight, and getting enough exercise.

Publications

1.   Aim For A Healthy Weight! - These guidelines from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute present a new approach for assessing whether someone is overweight or obese. They also establish principles of safe and effective weight loss. Calculate your obesity risk online. If you need to lose weight or need help maintaining your current weight, there are items to help you get started, including recipes, shopping tips, and advice on choosing an exercise program.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/patmats.htm

2.   Frequently Asked Questions - A Healthy Diet - This publication provides information on how women can maintain a healthy diet throughout their lives. It explains what a healthy portion is and how a healthy diet can help to reduce the risk of heart disease.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/diet.htm

3.   Frequently Asked Questions - Obesity and Weight Loss - This fact sheet defines obesity and explains some of the factors that contribute to becoming overweight or obese. It provides statistics on how many women are obese, explains the serious health problems associated with obesity, and how obese women can lose weight and improve their health.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/weightloss.htm

4.   Recipes and Tips for Healthy, Thrifty Meals - This colorful book provides information to assist families in purchasing and preparing healthy, thrifty meals that meet the recommendations in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. The book contains two sample meal plans (consisting of two weekly menus, 40 recipes, and two food lists), tips for shopping, healthy cooking, and keeping food safe.

   http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/food/rec-thrifty/recipes.htm

5.   Sample Reduced-Calorie Menus: Asian-American Cuisine - This publication contains a sample of a calorie-reduced menu of Asian-American cuisine.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/asian.htm

6.     Vietnamese Aspire for Healthy Hearts: Be Active for a Healthier Heart - This easy-to-read, bilingual Vietnamese and English booklet explains the importance of daily physical activity in the prevention of heart disease.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/viet_facts/viet-pa.pdf

7.   Fast Food & Soft Drinks: How to Make Healthier Choices (Korean) (Copyright © University of California, Berkeley) - This publication discusses what parents can do to help their children make healthier choices when eating fast food. It provides tips on ordering smaller portions and reducing the amount of sugar in you child's diet.

   http://nature.berkeley.edu/cwh/PDFs/CWH_Korean_fastfoods.pdf

8.   Fast Food & Soft Drinks: How to Make Healthier Choices (Vietnamese) (Copyright © University of California, Berkeley) - This publication discusses what parents can do to help their children make healthier choices when eating fast food. It provides tips on ordering smaller portions and reducing the amount of sugar in you child's diet.

   http://nature.berkeley.edu/cwh/PDFs/CWH_Vietnamese_fastfoods.pdf

9.   How Can I Manage My Weight? (Copyright © AHA) - This fact sheet provides information to help those who want to learn how to reach and maintain a healthy weight. Included in this publication is a chart to keep track of weight and to set personal weight loss goals.

   http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/110167860217928%20ManageMyWeight.pdf...

Organizations

1.   CDC's WISEWOMAN™ - Well Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation
2.   Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, FCS, FNCS, USDA
3.   Food and Nutrition Information Center, NAL, USDA
4.   Nutrition.Gov
5.   Office of Minority and Women's Health, CDC, HHS
6.   Office of Minority Health Resource Center (OMHRC), OMH, OPHS, OS, HHS
7.   Smallstep.gov
8.   Weight Control Information Network, NIDDK, NIH, HHS
9. American Heart Association
10. American Obesity Association

= Indicates Federal Resources

Current as of December 2007