I have decided to keep a health journal. Well, its more like sharing some health tips. I was diagnosed with a couple of “illnesses” when I went for my 1st full body checkup at the polyclinic last October. Its been almost a year now and matters have been kept under control although I need to followup and have lots of self discipline.

Most of the “illnesses” are results of being extremely obese. Weight is definitely affecting my health. I thought it will be good to share some information and also health tips…

What was I diagnosed with?

Morbid Obesity: Obesity is an excess proportion of total body fat. A person is considered obese when his or her weight is 20% or more above normal weight. The most common measure of obesity is the body mass index or BMI. A person is considered overweight if his or her BMI is between 25 and 29.9; a person is considered obese if his or her BMI is over 30. “Morbid obesity” means that a person is either 50%-100% over normal weight, more than 100 pounds over normal weight, has a BMI of 40 or higher, or is sufficiently overweight to severely interfere with health or normal function.

» Click here to find out more about Obesity
» Click here to calculate your BMI

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a common condition characterized by irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth and obesity, though it can affect women in a variety of ways. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome usually have at least several of the many signs and symptoms associated with PCOS, including:

• Irregular or no menstruation
• Signs of excess androgen
• Enlarged ovaries with multiple cysts
• Infertility
• Obesity
• Skin tags
• Prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
• Acanthosis nigricans

» Click here to find out more about PCOS

Diabetes (Type 2): Type 2 Diabetes is the most common type. The amount of insulin produced is not enough or ineffective. It usually develops in adults aged 40 years and above but is increasingly seen in overweight children and young adults.

» Click here to find out more about Diabetes

Joints and Bones Degeneration: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint disease, sparing no age, race, or geographic area. At least 20 million adults in the U.S. suffer from osteoarthritis. Symptomatic disease increases with age. Many patients may have OA seen on x-rays, but not be overly symptomatic.

» Click here to find out more about Joints and Bones Degeneration

Gout: Gout is one of the oldest disorders known to Man. It is a disease in which certain chemical processes of the body are impaired resulting in the build up of too much uric acid. Gout is characterised by sudden attacks of extremely painful, swollen, hot joints.

» Click here to find out more about Gout

What should you get from this article?

• Realise the risks that you may be involved with.
• Know that early diagnosis or treatment may help to reduce your risk of long term complications.
• Take the 1st step to go for a full body checkup. Polyclinics offer very affordable full body checkup packages. » Click here for the packages offered

What should you expect in the next article?

• How to control diet – take off with small steps
• How diet control helps – the figures

So obviously I really need to take a good look at my health condition. Diet in this case play a very important role. I will share with you more on the steps taken to control my diet and my weight management for the past few months.