IT WAS interesting to read Professor Feng Pao Hsii's letter last
Friday ("Good health not just about weight, says a 'lighter'
doctor").
I agree with him that obesity is not the only risk factor for
bad health and that good health is a lifelong journey. According to
the World Health Organisation, health is a state of complete
physical and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity; and according to religious leaders, it also
includes spiritual well-being.
Risk factors for coronary artery disease include high blood
pressure, diabetes, dyslipidemia (impaired cholesterol level),
cigarette smoking, lack of exercise, obesity, stress, advancing age
and family history of heart disease. Many of these risk factors are
also applicable to cancers and stroke. Obesity is also a big
problem in diabetes and arthritis.
There are many ways to assess obesity. They include BMI ( body
mass index), waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference and body fat
estimation. Recently, the British Medical Journal reported a link
between BMI and sexual behaviour and adverse sexual health
outcomes.
It was also reported that there is a relation between obesity
and erectile dysfunction in men. It reminds us of sexual
dysfunction as a potential hidden outcome or determinant of wider
ill health. In other words, obesity can harm not only health and
longevity but also your sex life.
Dr V.P Nair
-- ST Forum