Is your extra weight causing hearing loss?

Weight & Hearing LossAs we age, we slowly pack on some extra pounds. First the freshmen 15, followed by the weight gain from marriage, children come along and before you know it your body and weight is no where near what it use to be. According to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2010-2011 more than one third of the adults in the United States were overweight. Having a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight. A BMI over 30 is considered obese. Being obese is worse then a cosmetic problem, it is associated with many other health conditions, one being hearing loss.

The Harvard Nurses Health Study in the American Journal of Medicine found obesity to be linked with hearing loss. Over 68,000 women took part in the study from 1989-2009. During this time their body weight mass (BMI), physical activity, waist circumference and hearing loss were monitored.

Results showed women who had a body mass index of 30-40 were at 17 percent higher risk of hearing loss, when compared to women with a BMI lower than 25. Women with a BMI 40 and above have a 25 percent higher risk of hearing loss. The women who had a waist circumference of 80-88 centimeters had an 11 percent greater risk of hearing loss when compared to women whose waist were less than 71 centimeters. In fact, one out of six women in the study suffered from hearing loss.

On the positive note, researchers did find exercise helped decrease the risk of hearing loss. The women who were physically active during the study had a 17 percent lower risk of hearing loss then the women who did not perform any physical activity.  By walking four hours or more a week helped lower hearing loss by 15 percent compared to women who walked under an hour a week.

Are you ready to get on track and take control of your weight? Before beginning a weight loss program always consult with your doctor first. This way together you can determine the best way to lose weight, the healthy way. As for exercising, the Center of Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least two and a half hours of aerobic exercise a week.

Some healthy ways to kick start your new lifestyle is:

*Keep a food journal. This way you can see everything you’re eating throughout the day

*Make a meal plan for the week

*When shopping at the grocery store, shop the outer parameter of the store. The stuff in the middle isles is mostly processed foods, full of sugar and salt.

*Find a type of exercise that you enjoy and look forward to.

If you suspect you’re already experiencing hearing loss due to your weight contact Advanced Hearing Group today to schedule an evaluation and a hearing test.

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