Increased body fat is always manifested by weight gain, but this does not mean that all people who weigh more than what is considered normal to be obese. To find anthropometric indicators have been established as weight, height, thickness of skin folds and circumferences (waist and hip).

However, body mass index (BMI) is a medical tool that determines how much a person has exceeded the reserves of energy as fat. For BMI, divide the number of its weight in kilograms by the result of his height squared, if the shunt is less than 24.9 kg/m2 your weight is normal, if it goes from 25 to 29.9 kg/m2 means overweight. On the other hand, obesity is defined in three classes: the first corresponds to a BMI between 30 and 34.9 kg/m2, second, or risk, 35 to 39.9 kg/m2 and the latter in the sounding the alarm of danger, the index exceeds 40.

Take the following example: a person whose height is 1.70 m tall and weighs 85 kg has a BMI of 29, ie 85 kg / 1.70 x 1.70 = 85 / 2.89 = 29.4

However, most adults tend to become overweight and fat storage over time, mainly because a sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise) becomes more common and there is no way to remove excess accumulated. Thus it is not uncommon in people over 65 years, BMI is between 24 and 29, although it is low risk to health.

It is very important to consider when they assess the adverse effects to consider both the magnitude and distribution of fat. Thus, obesity with a BMI above 30, with a distribution of body fat in the stomach (it is recognized as android) may promote diabetes, high cholesterol, gout, hypertension and heart disease, more common in men; but when the distribution is genecoide (on the buttocks, thighs and legs), which occurs in women more often, does not cause many problems, but has a negative impact on both joints as spine, knees and ankles.

Risks in them

One of the main reasons why women gain weight mature is the reduction in the generation of sex hormones after menopause (last menstruation), and that this alters the mechanism to regulate the distribution of adipose tissue and the proportion between muscles and fat. To this we must add that the body it is much more difficult to metabolize lipids and lipoproteins as before, ie, assimilation, utilization and disposal of fats, leading to overweight.

As noted above, the risks of problems are focused on women’s bone apparatus, but also affected others, the most important:

Osteoarthritis. Degenerative disease characterized by wasting or destruction of cartilage and deformation of the surface of the bone of one or more joints. In general, aging and overload cause the cartilage to wear out, so the joint loses its natural cushioning system and bone deformities undergo small manifested through pain and limited movement, which affects mostly weight-bearing joints or who have excessive movement, such as hips (especially in groin and inner thigh region), knee (on the inside) or feet.

Osteoporosis. Skeletal disease characterized by reduced bone mineral density (calcium and collagen) due to imbalance in the cycle of bone reconstruction (less formed bone tissue is destroyed), which causes bones to become porous , thin and fragile, therefore, susceptible to fracture at the slightest effort or not. This disorder is very common in the elderly, and affects mostly postmenopausal women due to lack of estrogen, hormones that the body stops producing when you have the last menstruation.

What about them?

The older men tend to increase in heart disease from the accumulation of fat, hence we can talk about problems like high cholesterol, fatty compounds that our body gets from two aspects: one, food and other, which produces the body itself.

Cholesterol is required to carry out many functions, such as hormones, assist in the formation of bile and vitamin D, and maintain the body’s cellular structure. However, when levels are elevated in the blood of the compound health problems arise, the main:

Atherosclerosis. Cholesterol tends to accumulate on the walls of the arteries, which is added to remaining muscle and blood cells and calcium, resulting in a plate called atheroma, which reach a size that obstructs blood flow causes this condition, the which usually occurs in the coronary arteries (which carry blood to the heart muscle) in the aorta (the largest in the body), and in the brain and limbs, especially thighs and legs.

When atherosclerotic plaque partially or completely cover the arteries, causing reduced or total lack of blood flow, which causes the organs do not receive enough oxygen to work or do not have it at all (complete occlusion), resulting in the death of cells. The latter is what is called stroke and, as is known, can occur anywhere in the body where the blood stops circulating. Thus, infarction occurs in heart, brain, eyes, intestines and legs.

Moreover, it is noteworthy that there are other conditions that are common to men and women for the overweight, among which we mention:

Drop. As part of the daily renewal of the cells that make up our body discards each day a compound called uric acid that is naturally excreted in the urine, but when this happens, it accumulates in the blood and is deposited slowly joints, as crystals, causing inflammation and severe pain. Among the causes of uric acid is not removed properly can include obesity and diabetes, diseases that cause malfunction of the kidneys, leading to accumulation and determines the appearance of stones (rocks formed by mineral salts and discarded) .

Hypertension. High blood pressure affects one third of people over 60 years, this disease is that the smaller blood lines narrow, or, the arteries lose their elasticity, which forces the heart to pump harder to supply blood to all organs. A major cause is the accumulation of fat in blood vessels, constant situations of stress and distress, kidney ailments and diabetes, sedentary lifestyle (with very little physical exercise), eating too much salt, snuff and alcohol.

Diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is a syndrome characterized by excessive accumulation of glucose in the blood due to a deterioration in all or part of the secretion and action of the hormone insulin, produced by the pancreas and responsible for maintaining normal blood sugar levels. If left unchecked can lead to complications such as blindness, renal and vascular damage and leg amputations.

There are two types: the first develops in people where insulin production is low or zero. Most patients with this condition develop it before age 30.

In contrast, type 2 or mellitus occurs when the pancreas continues to produce insulin but the body develops resistance to its effects. Usually this type of diabetes usually appears after age 30.

Cancer. Quite simply, this condition can be explained as a failure in the mechanism that regulates the development of cells that are found throughout our body, made to appear that causes some of them to grow without altering their genetic control, being Thus the most likely to develop cancer. One of the factors that can accelerate the accumulation of fat in the body as well as pollutants, viruses and ultraviolet radiation from sunlight.

Actions to be taken

Although the elderly require special care naturally, particular care must be taken when there are obese or overweight, so attention to the following precautions:

TRH. It is not uncommon for many menopausal women undergoing hormone replacement therapy, ie artificially receiving estrogen your body no longer produces, among other benefits helps to prevent weight gain, however, receive hormones is a matter of discussion the scientific community, being associated with cases in which women develop cancer. This is all to consult a gynecologist about risks and benefits administration.

Exercise. To occur in the body increased energy expenditure is necessary to promote exercise. With this, it will increase muscle definition, improve insulin sensitivity and decrease cholesterol levels. The walk, for example, is excellent sport, and you do not need physical condition and accessories.

Eating and chewing. Chew slowly lets shred food into a bolus perfectly palatable, if not, the organs involved in digestion working overtime, generating indigestion, stomach pain, gas emissions and improper metabolism of fats.

Food. Perhaps the main point of which result from many problems, hence the need to pay attention to:

- Eat little but often, a well-distributed power can lose excess fat, while only one meal a day promotes fat storage.
- Drink 2 liters of water a day to rehydrate the skin and digestive tract.
- Avoid salt, because it facilitates the formation of atheromas (small balls or lumps of fat on artery walls). Instead, try to add garlic to your meals, it prevents the formation of atheromas (like grapefruit) and promotes good blood circulation.
- Say goodbye to the snacks and replace them with fruit or vegetables (jicama, cucumbers, carrots, etc.), As no fat and suppresses appetite.
- Compare the calories, protein, fat and sugar in everything you eat and seek to balance their food. Make simple evaluation on our tables essential food groups, minerals, vitamins and proteins (located in section diagrams, the left side of the screen).
- Use olive oil for cooking and seasoning, as this product reduces the concentration of harmful cholesterol, while increasing the so-called good.
- Eat in moderation tortilla, bread made with refined flour (replace bread in small quantities), sweets and alcohol.

Beyond the question of aesthetics, which for many people a lot of weight, obesity should be treated in the elderly, as this would be winning in health have no doubt about it.

credit to: Raul Serrano

Hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases. It is also surprising to know that most people with this problem do not control.

Keep it under control depends periodically go to the doctor and taking medication required and follow a diet and change some habits, which we detail as follows:

* Avoid being overweight.

This causes the heart to work harder. In many cases, can lower blood thinner, yes, under medical supervision.

* Manage stress.

Stressful situations raise the pressure. If a specific and unique situation, not usually have consequences. But if stress is constantly present in your life, you try to control.

Practice relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga, etc., Choose the one that’s most pleasant and practice it daily. Do not be angry, irritable people are more prone to hypertension DEVELOP.

* Reduce salt.

It is imperative, as the third of the hypertensive population it is because of excessive salt consumption. Avoid frozen, as these are high in sodium.

* Follow a healthy diet.

Includes fruits and vegetables rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium, such as spinach, beets, bananas, spinach, kiwi fruit or nuts. Studies have shown that calcium and magnesium are vasodilators, while potassium helps eliminate sodium, making them very beneficial. In addition, three times a week (minimum) must include white and blue fish, which contains Omega 3, a high protective effect against hypertension.

* Limit alcohol and coffee.

Preferably drink red wine (more than two drinks a day). And if you suffer from high blood pressure, your dose of coffee should be one cup daily.

* Eat celery.

This vegetable contains a substance that reduces blood pressure significantly. The ideal dosage is four stalks a day.

* Practice exercise.

It is the best method to control blood pressure. We recommend bringing the majority of muscles in hypertensive sedentary so it is advisable to brisk walking or jogging lightly.

* Leave the snuff.

Smoking, besides increasing the pressure, the arteries deteriorates further.

* Use supplements.

Studies have confirmed the effect of magnesium, calcium, vitamins C, E and B6, on hypertension. Therefore, in addition to choosing foods rich in these nutrients, it is advisable to take a multivitamin that contains them.

While mild to moderate consumption of alcohol may be beneficial for cardiovascular health, an excess of the damages. Even for many researchers, moderate consumption can have an effect on blood pressure by raising it above the normal values (70 / 140 mmHg). This risk would increase if alcohol consumption is excessive.

According to scientific studies, there is a positive and linear relationship between alcohol consumption and elevated blood pressure.

How are blood pressure in alcoholism?

* The higher the alcohol consumption, the greater the prevalence of hypertension.
* When this occurs it alters a number of hormones that increase heart rate and arterial walls injured thereby increasing blood pressure levels.
* High alcohol intake between 0.75 1 gram. ethanol / kg weight produced an increase in systolic and diastolic pressure.

Both alcohol and hypertension are two different diseases but unite and enhance further increasing the risk of certain diseases such as heart disease, stroke, nerve disease, etc.

Remember that all food consumed in excess is harmful to health. If you feel you’re consuming too much alcohol for help and you can improve your quality of life and that of those around you.