Being overweight or obese increases your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, breathing problems, arthritis, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea (breathing problems while sleeping), osteoarthritis and some cancers. Obesity is measured with a Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI shows the relationship of weight to height. Women with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight, while women with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese. All adults (aged 18 years or older) who have a BMI of 25 or more are considered at risk for premature death and disability from being overweight or obese. These health risks increase as the BMI rises. Your health care provider can help you figure out your body mass or go to www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/calc-bmi.htm. Not only are health care providers concerned about how much fat a person has, but also where the fat is located on the body. Women with a "pear" shape tend to store fat in their hips and buttocks. Women with an "apple" shape store fat around their waists. For most women, carrying extra weight around their waists or middle (with a waist larger than 35 inches) raises health risks (like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer) more than carrying extra weight around their hips or thighs. In one specific population in Arizona, a study found that 80% of American Indians were overweight. If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can lower your risk for many diseases. And physical activity is an important part of weight loss treatment. Try to be active (30 minutes most days of the week is best) and eat better to help prevent and treat obesity.

Publications

1. American Indian and Alaska Native People: Treat Your Heart To A Healthy Celebration! - Proper nutrition is your way to a healthy heart. This document provides insight on eating the right kinds of foods to improve and maintain your health. It offers a list of foods, as well as ways for preparing them, to ensure healthy eating. Lean cut beefs, fish, corn, and rice are all tasty examples of a healthy diet.

2. American Indian and Alaska Native Women's Health - This site provides information to Indian Health Service providers and consumers about American Indian and Alaska Native women's health. It discusses access to care, violence against Native women, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, cardiovascular disease, and other health issues.

3. Choosing Healthy, Low-Fat Foods (Copyright © AAFP) - This fact sheet provides suggestions for a healthy, low-fat diet without compromising flavor. The recommended foods and the number of servings correspond with the USDA Food Guide Pyramid.

4. Eating for a Healthy Heart - This publication contains information on heart disease and nutrition. It also lists steps one can take to lower their risk of heart disease including tips for losing weight, as well as what one should look for when reading a food label.

5. Frequently Asked Questions - Diet and Nutrition - This publication provides information on how women can maintain a healthy diet throughout their lives. It outlines healthy weight loss methods, fat/calorie intake, vitamins and dietary supplements.

6. How Can I Manage My Weight? (Copyright © AHA) - This fact sheet provides information to help those who want to learn how to reach and maintain a healthy weight. Included in this publication is a chart to keep track of weight and to set personal weight loss goals.

7. Native American Food Pyramid - The Native American Food Pyramid is adapted from the USDA food pyramid. It is designed to guide Native Americans in their daily food choices by including both Native American traditional foods as well as American foods.

8. Recipes and Tips for Healthy, Thrifty Meals - This colorful book provides information to assist families in purchasing and preparing healthy, thrifty meals that meet the Recommended Dietary Allowances, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the Food Guide Pyramid. The book contains two sample meal plans (consisting of two weekly menus, 40 recipes, and two food lists), tips for shopping, cooking healthfully and keeping food safe.

Organizations

1. American Heart Association

2. CDC's WISEWOMAN™ - Well Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation

3. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, FCS, FNCS, USDA

4. Food and Nutrition Information Center, NAL, USDA

5. Indian Health Services

6. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, HHS

7. National Indian Women's Health Resource Center (NIWHRC)

8. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, HHS

9. Nutrition.Gov

10. Office of Minority and Women's Health, BPHC, HRSA, HHS

11. Office of Minority Health, OPHS, OS, HHS

12. Office on Women's Health, HHS