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Fall 2004 Newsletter

Student Health Services Health News- Fall 2004

Do You Know Your Numbers?

  • BMI: A number greater than 30 increases your risk for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, heart disease, arthritis, certain cancers, increased surgical and OB risks and lung problems.
    • Normal= 18.5-25
    • Overweight= 25.1-30
    • Obese= 30 and greater
  • Waist Circumference: A waist size larger than 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men increases the risk for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and arthritis.
    • Women= less than 35 inches
    • Men= less than 40 inches
  • Blood Pressure: A sustained blood pressure of less than 120/80 increases your risk for heart, kidney, eye, and peripheral arterial disease.
  • Cholesterol: Elevated total cholesterol and LDL, especially with other risk factors (family history of heart disease, being of the male sex, obesity, diabetes, or smoker and women with low HDL) have a increased risk for heart disease.
    • Total= less than 200
    • HDL= low is less than 40; beneficial is greater than 60
    • LDL= optimal is less than 100; high is greater than 160
  • Glucose: A glucose of 110 – 125 will increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes.
    • less than 110= optimal
    • 110-125= impaired
    • greater than 125= abnormal

Please make every effort to obtain your numbers.   For your convenience, the Nursing  Department  offers Wellness Days during the fall and spring semester at V. L.Wharton in room #115. You may call 482-5652 for the day and time the clinic will be in operation.

Knowing your numbers and understanding your risk will guide you to make appropriate life style changes, which should include a diet low in saturated fats and carbohydrates, and increased fruits, grains, and vegetables, and exercising three times a week for at least 30 minutes.