Body Weight
"Weight that is higher than what is considered as a healthy weight for a given height is described as overweight or obese. Body Mass Index, or BMI, is used as a screening tool for overweight or obesity. BMI is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. A high BMI can be an indicator of high body fatness. To calculate BMI, see the Adult BMI Calculator or determine BMI by finding your height and weight in this BMI Index Chart:
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If your BMI is less than 18.5, it falls within the underweight range.
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If your BMI is 18.5 to <25, it falls within the normal.
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If your BMI is 25.0 to <30, it falls within the overweight range.
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If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the obese range.
Obesity is frequently subdivided into categories:
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Class 1: BMI of 30 to < 35
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Class 2: BMI of 35 to < 40
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Class 3: BMI of 40 or higher. Class 3 obesity is sometimes categorized as “extreme” or “severe” obesity."
~from the CDC
Critiques of Body Mass Index
"Top 10 Reasons Why The BMI Is Bogus"
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106268439
"Why Body Mass Index Is Wrong for So Many People"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-belk/body-mass-index_b_7693450.html
"Why BMI Is Inaccurate and Misleading"
Maine Resources
Programs of the Maine Cardiovascular Health Council:
http://www.mainecardiohealth.org/programs/projects.htm
A joint project of the Maine Cardiovascular Health Council and Medical Care Development, Inc. This is statewide effort in cardiovascular health promotion and disease prevention at the local level.
Bariatric Resources in Maine:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/stateinfo.phtml?State=ME
A list of Maine surgeons, insurers, and other useful information about bariatric surgery.
Regional Resources
National Resources
Adaptive Outdoor Education Center (AOEC): Adaptive Outdoor Education Center is a Maine based organization which is dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities through adaptive recreation and education programs. Also offers fully accessible hostel-style accommodations to people with disabilities and their caregivers in the Carrabassett Valley, Maine area, next to Sugarloaf Mountain. AOEC has a second location in Brunswick, Maine to serve the Southern Maine population.
Hunting & Trapping for Maine People with Disabilities: The Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife offers special fishing and hunting permits for the blind, disabled veterans, people with cognitive disabilities, and paraplegics. Certain permits are issued to residents with disabilities free of charge.
Maine Adaptive - Specialty Programs These adaptive sports programs are aimed at different groups of people with different disabilities and different backgrounds. They have specialty adaptive camps for veterans, people with visual impairments, physical and mobility impairments, and a sit-down ski-specific specialty camp held once a year.