Am I overweight? This is one of the most commonly asked question among people in all walks of life. You may have put on some extra weight, but this doesn't necessarily mean you have a weight problem. Standing on the bathroom scales won't tell you whether you need to lose weight either, what matters is your Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI finds out whether you weight falls within the acceptable range relative to your height.

If your BMI is over 30, you are obese and should definitely contemplate losing weight. Ideally, your BMI should be between 20 and 25, but if yours is a little above this, don't panic. The way the extra weight is distributed around your body is a significant factor, more than the BMI count.

Doctors assess the extent to which you need to lose weight on the basis of your body shape. There are two categories in body shapes, apple and pear-shaped people.

Apple-shaped: This means that you tend to store fat around your middle and is most common among men. Apples are known to be at increased risk of a range of illnesses, including heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes and are more likely to have raised cholestrol.

Pear-shaped: This means that any excess fat tends to be stored around the buttocks and thighs and seems to be associated with lower levels of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Weight and your health: Being seriously overweight or obese puts strain on your body. The joints in your knees and hips are more prone to osteoarthritis. You may also find yourself short of breath when making anything but the slightest physical exertion. Excess weight is a factor in triggering diabetes. Coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and strokes are also more common in people who are obese.

If your BMI proves that you are overweight and after determining your body type, you can contemplate a diet.

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Before you decide to take the plunge, make sure you weigh the pros and cons of dieting.....