That little thing called the BMI

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine gives me yet another reason not to overindulge this holiday season: doing so can increase your risk of death.

Well, of course, I knew what was meant, but that verbiage caused a visual speed bump while reading the article. The take-away, however, caused me to really stop and admonish myself for not spending more time at the gym and less at the table during Thanksgiving.

The study conducted at the National Cancer Institute reveled that for every five points added to your BMI, the chance of dying increased 31 percent. We’ve all heard for years about how important it is to maintain a healthy weight, to exercise and to eat right. Having a family history of heart disease and cancer – diseases for which one can reduce risks by maintaining the above – keeps me conscientious of that.

However, I knew I had gained a little during the Thanksgiving holidays because my clothes were fitting a little more snugly. So earlier this week, I hit the gym -- with my 16-year-old, in-shape, athletic son – trying to be more faithful before the Christmas holidays arrive. After 30 minutes on the treadmill, he was drenched in sweat, looking like he had just completed a great workout; I on the other hand, had barely worked up a “glow.” I glanced occasionally to see his “calories burned” ticking off like seconds on a clock while mine looked like the hands of time standing still.

And then we stepped on the scales … bad mistake. I wasn’t prepared for the almost 15 extra pounds to register. I would have never guessed I had increased my BMI almost three points as well.

I understand there are many variables, and that one shouldn’t apply such results straight across the board, but realizing just a few pounds can send me closer to the end was a real eye-opener – and a little stronger incentive to get to the gym.