According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, more than half of all Americans (about 97 million) are overweight or obese. Similarly, as many as half of all pre- and post-transplant patients may be overweight .
Extra weight and obesity puts individuals at risk for numerous life-threatening diseases including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. According to a study published in the journal Transplantation (1997), non-obese renal transplant patients enjoy a significantly greater survival rate than their obese counterparts.
The study included 127 obese post-transplant patients and 127 non-obese post-transplant patients at the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio. Obesity was based on patients’ Body Mass Index (BMI), a tool that measures one’s weight in kilograms then divides it by their height in meters, squared. Example: a 5-foot, 5-inch woman who weighs 148 pounds would have a BMI of 24. A 6-foot man who weighs 242 pounds would have a BMI of 33. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight; a BMI greater than 30 is obese.
According to Ann Murtha, R.D., C.D.E., Transplant Nutritionist, the study provides telling information about the risks posed by excess weight. “Five years after transplantation, most of the non-obese patients survived, but a smaller percentage of the obese patients survived. Cardiac disease was the leading cause of death, making it evident that excess weight increased patients’ likelihood of developing heart disease,” she says. “ In addition, some of the obese patients developed type 2 diabetes while very few of the non-obese patients developed this illness. Clearly, maintaining a healthy weight is important to safeguard one’s long-term good health.”
The Weight Loss Challenge
Ms. Murtha points out that achieving and maintaining a healthy weight does not only apply to renal patients. “Developing a healthy lifestyle that is based on a well-planned diet and physical exercise is beneficial for anyone,” she says. In a country where half the population has a weight problem, and fad diets abound, Ms. Murtha said many mistakenly search for “a magic bullet” to make weight loss easy. “No matter whether you’re a renal transplant patient or someone without any particular health problems, much of weight loss success depends upon your motivation. Patients who are motivated and stay motivated can do very well.”
She cites the case of a young man who became increasingly upset by his compromised appearance as a result of his weight increase following transplantation. After sitting down with Ms. Murtha, he saw that he was getting a disproportionate number of calories from fast food in his diet. After undergoing nutritional counseling and learning how to make healthier food choices, and by incorporating a moderate exercise regimen, he was able to achieve his pre-transplant weight.
“It’s not unusual to see some weight gain following transplantation,” explains Ms. Murtha. “The immunosuppressive drugs can alter one’s metabolism; however, more often, we find patients are feeling better and therefore eating more. There’s a period of time when patients need to adjust to the changes going on in their body. The best way to stay on top of the situation is to focus on eating appropriate food portions and incorporating exercise into one’s lifestyle. It may not seem as exciting as following one of the many fad diets out there, but this is advice I would give to anyone who wants to lose weight and keep it off.”
Strive for a BMI of 24 or Less
To check your BMI, visit the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Web site at www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi_tbl.htm.
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