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ThuJan 9

Healthy Weight, Healthy Look Day – January 9, 2025

Healthy Weight, Healthy Look Day is marked every year on the second Thursday in January, falling on January 13 this year. It’s about encouraging people to prioritize their health by considering their weight. What you weigh greatly affects how healthy you are and feel. So in the fight to curb malnutrition or obesity, put your health first today. To get things started, we’ve compiled a list of the best bathroom scales currently on the market.

History of Healthy Weight, Healthy Look Day

Although there exists no properly documented history of Healthy Weight, Healthy Look Day, our weights have always played a vital role in the health of our bodies. Contrary to popular opinion, you do not have to be super skinny or in the slimmer category to certify a quality health status. Your weight could fall more on the plus side, and you would still be healthy.

Weight is the force of gravity on an object and is therefore dependent on the context of the object. However, numerous things can affect our weight, such as bone mass, height, etc., and that’s why it became essential to find a way to measure our weight in terms of our health status, besides just hopping on a scale. That led to the invention of metrics such as the Body Mass Index (B.M.I.).

B.M.I. is a value derived from the mass (weight) and height of a person. It can be derived from a table or chart, or personally calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of your body height in meters. The B.M.I. is a convenient and reliable system of measuring one’s weight. It broadly categorizes one as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese, based on tissue mass (muscle, fat, and bone) and height, which provides an easy way to know your health status in proportion to your tissue mass, and not just your weight.

The Belgian Adolphe Quetelet devised the basis of the B.M.I. between 1830 and 1850. The modern term ‘body mass index’ for the ratio of human body weight to squared height was coined in a paper published in the July 1972 edition of the “Journal of Chronic Diseases.” B.M.I.s below 18.5 are at risk of being underweight, while those above 25 tend to be overweight or even obese. But this differs in age, race, and country.

Healthy Weight, Healthy Look Day timeline

1687
Weight is Redefined

Newton’s Laws of Motion leads to a new definition of the term 'weight,' differentiating it from 'mass.'

1800s
A New Measurement

Adolphe Quetelet, a Belgian astronomer, mathematician, statistician, and sociologist, devises the basis of the B.M.I.

1901
The Difference is Clear

The 3rd General Conference on Weights and Measures officially distinguishes mass from weight.

1972
Body Mass Index

The modern term "body mass index" (BMI) is coined in the “Journal of Chronic Diseases," by Ancel Keys and others.

Healthy Weight, Healthy Look Day FAQs

What is considered a healthy weight?

A B.M.I. of 24 or Less is deemed a healthy weight.

What is the ideal weight to lose in a month?

One to two pounds in a week (four to eight in a month) is a healthy goal, according to the C.D.C. 

Does my size affect my health?

Your size affecting your health is a myth. Both fat and skinny people can be healthy; what matters is your diet, your body metabolism, where the fat is being stored in your body, and your B.M.I. But obesity can lead to other health complications, such as diabetes, and should be avoided. 

How to Observe Healthy Weight, Healthy Look Day

  1. Measure your B.M.I.

    The first step to getting healthier is knowing where to start and what to work on. B.M.I. provides a simple way of knowing your weight status. To Measure your B.M.I., divide your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters. You can figure out what range you fall in by researching B.M.I. ranges for adults and children.

  2. Eat healthier

    Today is the perfect day to finally begin that healthy eating plan you’ve been postponing. You can start by making your meals a bit healthier with the addition of more fruits and fiber, or take it a step further by consulting a nutritionist to know your actual dietary needs.

  3. Start an exercise routine

    Exercising is great for you in any case and is key to improving your overall health. Whether you’re a gym junkie, a pilates master, or just starting out, there is a routine that matches your skills and the results you want. Do your research and start an exercise routine today.

5 Myths About Weight Loss You Should Know

  1. Size Matters

    The belief that fatter people are less healthy is pure myth — what matters is where the fat builds up.

  2. Dieting works

    Dieting is a myth and not the only solution to better health; to really work, it has to be applied in combination with a generally healthier lifestyle.

  3. Fast food is always fattening

    Not all fast foods are fattening; in fact, fast food chains like Chipotle now offer healthier fast food options.

  4. Carbs make you fat

    Lower carb intake does reduce weight gain; however, certain whole foods are high in carbs, and refined carbs, like sugar, are linked to weight gain.

  5. Supplements lead to weight loss

    Supplements cause a placebo effect and make you more cautious of what you eat; they don't necessarily help us lose weight, though a few supplements have a modest effect on weight loss.

Why Healthy Weight, Healthy Look Day is Important

  1. It encourages us to be healthier

    We all need a push here or there when it comes to being healthier, and Healthy Weight, Healthy Look Day gives us that push. It causes us to reflect on our healthy lifestyles and aim to be healthier.

  2. It causes us to weight check

    A lot of people live under different misconceptions of weight and think because they are slimmer means they are healthier and vice versa. Healthy Weight, Healthy Look Day gives us a reason to consciously check our weights and how they affect our health statuses.

  3. It improves our mental health

    When we’re healthier, we feel better. Getting on the path to a healthier lifestyle improves our overall mental and emotional health, and certain sources prove that physical health is directly proportional to emotional health.

Healthy Weight, Healthy Look Day dates

YearDateDay
2022January 13Thursday
2023January 12Thursday
2024January 11Thursday
2025January 9Thursday
2026January 8Thursday

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