Haley Johnson adjusts the scale while weighing Ronald Cutting in an Erlanger hospital medical office.WAIST RISKSYour health risks for developing obesity-related conditions may be increased if you have a waist size that is greater than:Women: 35 inchesMen: 40 inchesSource: Centers for Disease Control and PreventionWeight-loss tips from local doctors• Cut out all sugary drinks, including sweet tea.• Exercise 150 minutes a week.• Skip carbs as much as possible.• Use a salad plate to serve food instead of a dinner plate.2010 Adult ObesityTennessee: 30.8 percentGeorgia: 29.6 percentAlabama: 32.2 percentSource: Centers for Disease Control and PreventionHeight // Weight range // BMI // Considered• 5 foot 9 // 124 pounds or less // Below 18.5 // Underweight• 5 foot 9 // 125-168 pounds // 18.5 to 24.9 // Healthy weight• 5 foot 9 // 169-202 pounds // 25.0 to 29.9 // Overweight• 5 foot 9 // 203 pounds or more // 30 or higher // ObeseSource: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
About a year ago, Elizabeth Billups had the weight conversation with her doctor.
The 68-year-old had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and was faced with taking insulin. But there was another option – losing weight.
“She discussed it with me. She always discusses everything with us and talked about what I should weigh based on my height,” Billups said.
Billups listened, lost nearly 50 pounds in the last year and keeps her diabetes under control with her diet.