In the U.S., it’s hard to escape the notion that being thin is inherently healthy. Despite a shift toward a broader acceptance of different body types, a “thinner is better” mentality remains pervasive in many aspects of our culture. “We have had this misconception that you’re automatically healthy if you’re skinny,” says Tidelands Health family medicine physician Dr. Elizabeth Dixon, who offers care at Tidelands Health Family Medicine at Murrells Inlet. “But that’s definitely not the case.”
Research has consistently shown that maintaining a healthy weight can limit your risk for many chronic health conditions, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes. But weight is one of many factors – including genetics and lifestyle choices – that impact health.
Risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and abnormal blood sugar levels can be present regardless of your weight.
That’s one of the primary reasons health care providers take a holistic approach when it comes to your health and consider factors like age, genetics, medications, gender and environment. Bloodwork and patient history provide vital information that physicians use to better understand a patient’s health status.
Rather than focus on reaching a certain number on the scale, prioritize a healthy diet, regular exercise, sleep and stress reduction, Dr. Dixon says. A healthy lifestyle should ultimately translate into a healthy weight.
If you have any questions, she says, be sure to reach out to your primary care provider for guidance.
“We’re here to help,” she says.
—
This post was previously published on My Carolina Life.
***
You Might Also Like These From The Good Men Project
Compliments Men Would Love to Hear More Often | Relationships Aren’t Easy, But They’re Worth It | The One Thing Men Want More Than Sex | The Reality All Women Experience (that Men Don’t Know About) |
Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today.
All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS.
A $50 annual membership gives you an all access pass. You can be a part of every call, group, class and community.
A $25 annual membership gives you access to one class, one Social Interest group and our online communities.
A $12 annual membership gives you access to our Friday calls with the publisher, our online community.
Register New Account
Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here.
—
Photo credit: iStock