help!

[matt stewart]

i have a friend that is seriously overweight. She is going to be 50 in less than a year and 3 months. she is currently wearing a size 28. i am afraid she is going to wear a size 30 before she gets there. can some one answer some questions. For example since she is overweight what are the chances of osteoporosis? Since she is wearing a size 28 how much is that? Meanwhile i am trying to encourage her, but i need help. I live in Miami so she is not one to go out in the heat. thanks alot

[Pat58]

Hi Matt,

There is a lot to be concerned about with regard to your friend. Her weight problem is stressing every system in her body, and she can't be feeling good mentally, either. However, she is no doubt aware of these problems (blood pressure, cholesterol, stress on the skeleton, etc., etc.) Nagging her will only make her tune you out. The toughest thing about it is that SHE has to be the one to make a decision to do something for herself. The good news is that at her weight, even a little activity will burn way more calories than it would for the average person. Florida is really no excuse - I see obese people starting out at my gym, which is air conditioned - just using a treadmill at a slow walk for 10 minutes to start. Weight Watchers or a support group like Overeaters Anonymous can give her what she needs, but she has to want it, first. Whatever you do, try to be gentle and supportive. Good luck!

[lindrusso]

Matt,

It looks like Pat has done a great job addressing how you can help (or maybe not help) your friend.

To address your other two questions:

Firsty you ask how much is a size 28 - I assume you're asking how much she might weigh? That's really hard to tell. You can have two people a size 6 at completely different weights. One might be tall, very thin and weigh one thing while the other could be short, small-framed and weigh something else entirely. It all depends on height, frame and muscle vs. fat. So, in short, there's no real way to tell how heavy she is.

As for the osteoporosis, a physician would be the best person to ask, however I did find this link that may prove helpful.
http://www.thriveonline.com/health/osteo/seek.doyouhave.html

It doesn't look like obesity is directly linked to osteoporosis (at least according to the info listed here), but being sedentary could be - therefore your friend could be at risk because of factors relating to her obesity, rather than the obesity itself.

I wish your friend luck and with caring friends like you, she will have a better chance at succeeding.

[andi]

Matt,
I agree with what others have said and would add the following. As a cardiac rehab nurse I see alot of the "end product" (ie. folks having heart attacks and needing open heart surgery, etc). Many times obesity and lack of exercise (among other factors) play a big role in landing them in my facility. I would be very concerned about her cardiovascular health /cholesterol level (more so than osteoporosis) especially if she has a family history and has gone though menopause (and is not taking an estrogen replacement).
Would she be open to an evaluation by a dietician or personal trainer to discuss this further? I'm sure her MD would be delighted to suggest someone. I guess if I were in her position having you make these gentle suggestions would show you care and might give me the motivation to get started on a program.
Good luck!

[matt stewart]

thank you for your help guys on the question.