Q. I play tennis three times a week and have been told my weight is "normal." What else do I need to do to stay healthy?
A. You're way ahead of most people. The lifetime risk of obesity is 25 percent nationwide and much higher in Tennessee. Hopefully, you don't smoke. If you do, quit now. If you're trying to convince yourself you don't inhale cigars -- you do -- or that smokeless tobacco is safe -- it's not -- then quit those behaviors too. If you drink alcohol, ask yourself if you ever have more than five drinks in a day (for men) or four daily for women. If the answer is yes, talk to your doctor. Keep your mammograms, pap smears and colorectal cancer screenings current. Different risk groups need different frequencies, so your recommended screening interval may differ from your neighbor's. Make sure your routine vaccines are current and always wear your seat belt. Get your blood pressure checked and decrease your salt intake even if it's normal. Congratulations on taking charge of your own health. Stick to it!
-- Dr. Wayne T. Scott,
Galen Medical Group,
member Chattanooga-Hamilton
County Medical Society
Readers: To submit an obesity-related question for a medical doctor, e-mail it to Clint Cooper at ccooper@timesfreepress.com. See this space each week for answers, or go online to timesfreepress.com/news/shape.