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A height weight chart allows individuals to know the ideal weights for specific heights. With growing instances of obesity and obesity- related complications in the present times, a height weight chart is inevitable to know about the healthy height weight ratio and maintaining the same. Height weight charts vary for men and women and the purpose of the chart is to emphasize the need for staying fit and consistently managing their ideal weight.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Using height weigh chart, you can calculate the Body Mass Index of an individual that will help him to know whether he is underweight, overweight, obese or has ideal body weight. The fat content in an individual’s body is measured by BMI and a BMI calculator can calculate it. People who have BMI lesser than 18.5, come under underweight category. Those above 18.5 and under 24.9, belong to the ideal or normal weight category. Above 25 to 29.9 BMI is considered overweight and those above 30 are declared obese.

Healthy height weight chart benefits

• The ideal weight chart is a constant motivation force for people involved in weight loss programs. After knowing the appropriate height weight ratio, an individual can set weekly and monthly goals regarding weight loss to achieve the perfect healthy body.
• Maintaining a fit body with the exact height and weight proportion will eliminate the instances related to obesity which can pave way to innumerable complications. The chart will stress the need to indulge in physical activity and fitness regimes to reduce weight and stay fit.
• When you are in a weight loss regime, you can keep a track or journal about the weight you have lost every week and compare it with the ideal height weight that is necessary. The weekly analysis of the programs will encourage you by informing the amount of weight lost, every week and the weight you intend to lose, as per your plans.
• Height weight chart also urges people to work out and hit the gym for a toned and fit body and chisel their body structure. In many cases, during the process of losing weight and working out in gym, individuals inadvertently get a gorgeous body.
• The chart also prompts individuals to regularly check their weights and prevent unwanted health risks caused by sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes and heart diseases that are common about over weight people.
• The fact remains that ideal height weight chart makes people adopt a healthy lifestyle that helps them deal with weight gain related issues and indulge in a lot of physical activity and sports.
• The hidden benefits of the chart also include abstinence since, in the pursuit of losing weight and staying fit, people follow abstinence and quit smoking which makes them lead a healthy lifestyle.

Ways to stay fit using height weight chart

• Find out your perfect weight, in proportionate to your height and calculate the weight you need to lose or gain accordingly, to be healthy. Try to plan a rigorous weight loss regime within a stipulated period of time.
• Set long term and short term goals with regards to weight loss plans, if you are over weight according to the chart. The goals you decide for yourself should be realistic and should be achievable within the given period of time.
• The perfect way to maintain ideal height weight ratio is by working out and engaging in sporting or physical activity more. The chart may remind you of the amount of weight you need to lose and this inspires you to indulge in jogging, dancing, walking, rugby and a whole lot of others to tone your body.
• Most of the times, it is extremely tempting to stray away from the weight loss regimes as planned and indulge in over eating with less physical activity. Height weigh chart constantly reminds individuals about the weight needed to be lost and ways to do the same even when you try to deviate from the plan you have charted.
• Maintain a fitness journal listing out the progress you have made every week. The journal should comprise the diet followed, the sporting activity or physical activity indulged in and exercise routines.

Higher body mass index or weight can always increase the risk of weight related health issues. A height weight chart provides more insights into the perfect height and weight proportion and when you stick to that weight, you stay healthy without being susceptible to any kind of health complications or risks.

Just because it’s cold outside, it does not mean that the skin is protected from the harmful effects of sunlight. Actually, the intake of ultraviolet radiation is the same for people skiing as in summer for those who go to the beach. Researchers have found that the UV can be as high in the mountains in winter, as in mid-summer at the beach. There is a large amount of UV during winter. The sun is reflected by the snow and comes straight to you from all directions. Thus, people are more predisposed to skin cancer, the main focus of this article.
Skin cancer is considered to be an abnormal growth of skin cells. It often develops in those parts of the skin which remain exposed to sunlight. However, sometimes the common forms of this disease may also occur in those parts of the skin which do not get so much exposure to sunlight. The best way to prevent this disease is to avoid overexposure of your skin to sunlight. Actually the Ultra Violet radiation can be the underlying cause and hence the more you can avoid exposure to UV rays, the more protected you are. Early identification of this disease can help in curing it. You must be observant to any major changes on your skin to identify the early symptoms of cancer. If you feel you may have a skin lesion resembling to skin cancer, you may want to check some skin cancer pictures as well.

Types and Symptoms Related to Skin Cancer

Three types of skin cancers have been identified by doctors. They are- melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. The most vulnerable zones for skin cancer include face, ears, lips, neck, legs, hands, chest and arms. These are the areas which are usually most exposed to the UV rays. The genital region, underneath toenails, fingernails and palms are also spaces where skin cancer may develop. People of any complexion can be afflicted by this disease. Melanoma can occur in people with dark complexion and in those areas which generally remain unexposed.
You will know that you have developed basal cell carcinoma when waxy or pearly bumps appear on the affected zones. A gash with the color of the flesh will appear on the skin which indicates that it may be a basal cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma can be identified by a red and firm nodule on the skin or a flat scratch with crusted or scaly surface appears on lips, hands, ears and face. Melanoma can be identified by a mole that appears blood red and changes color on a part of the skin. Sometimes a spot of dark brown color appears on the skin and at other times lesion in different colors and irregular border appears on the skin. Some of the rare skin cancer varieties include Merkel cell carcinoma, Kaposi sarcoma and Sebaceous gland carcinoma.

Conditions that Cause Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is basically caused due to over growth of skin cells. Mutations or errors are formed inside the DNA of skin. These errors develop and form a group of cancer cells. The first layer of skin that gets affected by cancer is the epidermis. This is the topmost layer which is sometimes shed by the body. This layer is composed of cells including the Melanocytes, basal cells and squamous cells. Melanocytes give the skin its color. Basal cells create new skin cells and the squamous cells are situated just beneath the surface and serves as the inner lining of the skin. These cells get affected during the development of skin cancer.
Ultra Violet ray is the foremost cause of skin cancer. The major source of UV ray is the sunlight and other sources include tanning beds and tanning lamps. However, other conditions may also be responsible for causing skin cancer such as weakening of the immune system and exposure to toxic substances. Sunburns may also cause skin cancer, so also moles. Fair people are more vulnerable to skin cancer because less volume of melanin is present in their skin which means less protection from UV rays. Sunny climates leading to too much exposure to the sun burns can also cause skin cancer. If your skin is prone to developing lesions, then it may result into skin cancer in the long run. It may also be hereditary or develop with the increase in age. If your skin has prolonged contact with arsenic, then also chances of skin cancer developing is quite high.

Treatment of Skin Cancer

Treatment is meted out to skin cancer patients on the basis of the cancer stage/progress. If the cancer has not spread extensively, skin biopsy is enough to remove the growth. However, if it spreads, then extensive treatment is required. Excisional surgery is a good way to remove the cancer cells from within the skin. Cryosurgery uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the developing cells and remove it. Mohs surgery is a complicated one for stubborn or recurring skin cancer in which the surgeon operates the cells layer by layer and removes the abnormal cells.
Laser therapy is an effective way that uses laser to heat and vaporize the growths with minimal skin damage and bleeding. Other processes include Radiation therapy, Chemotherapy, Curettage and electrodesiccation, Biology therapy and Photodynamic therapy.

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus, popularly known as MRSA, is caused by the staphylococcus bacterium that is resistant to antibiotics. It is a life-threatening infection. Medical researchers believe that the infection generally occurs in setups where people have a direct skin-to-skin touch with each other and also share a lot of common commodities, say for example, in hospitals, schools and army camps.

MRSA is considered to be one of the worst diseases that can happen to anyone and is upsetting to see someone, particularly, any of your near and dear ones suffering from this disease. There is also a fear that whether you can also contract this disease if you happen to get in touch with people suffering from MRSA.

Therefore, a common question that often arises is whether MRSA is contagious in nature. And the answer is a ‘YES’ in big and bold. All infections caused by the staphylococcus bacterium (also known as Staph infections) are highly contagious and MRSA belongs to this category. In fact, MRSA is one of the most contagious infections that have been identified till date.

The contagious nature of MRSA

It was earlier observed that MRSA generally affect people who have weaker immunity systems. It is in fact most common in hospitals and health care units. Therefore, the disease is often termed as a hospital-acquired infection (HA-MRSA). Researchers believe that it is more likely to spread in these setups because people, mostly the patients already come here with weakened immune systems.

However, this myth was broken in the late 1990s. Researchers found out that MRSA can also show up among the healthier people. Many of them were never hospitalized and have not been to a health care clinic in the recent past, but have still acquired the disease. It has been observed that in recent years, the disease has become more dangerous in nature and the community also plays an important role in the spread of this disease. It has started to appear in public places other than hospitals. These infections are known as community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA).

The transmission generally happens when there is a direct physical contact. For example, while using shared items such as towel and also by using shared surfaces such as common bed and seats and so on. Although it can affect anyone, it has been observed that people tend to get this disease in certain common settings such as dormitories, schools, hospitals and nursing homes, rehabilitation and daycare centers and army camps.

HA-MRSA vs. CA-MRSA

According to recent medical research report, nearly 15-20% of this infection has now become community-based, whereas the other 80-85% in associated with the hospital. HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA infection vary in their signs and symptoms. Certain settings help in the transmission of both the type of MRSA. The manners in which the infection spreads and the risk factors associated with these are also different for the two kinds of MRSA.

HA-MRSA occurs when the skin goes through certain trauma such as cuts, burns and sores. A person with a history of multiple hospitalizations as well as those with prolonged hospitalization easily contracts this disease. Use of excess antibiotics, a surgery and certain medical conditions such as cancer and HIV-AIDS often weakens the immune system and make people vulnerable to MRSA. It may also occur in people who have had a dialysis for kidney failure.

CA-MRSA spreads through those participating in contact sports such as football, volleyball and wrestling. This is because there are chances of more skin-to-skin contacts. Overweight people are more prone to contract MRSA. If someone happens to have a contact with a person who has a cut or abrasion, and at the same time a carrier of MRSA, there are chances of getting the infection. At the same time, sharing of towel, uniforms, razors, bed and other personal items that are not washed between users, increases the risks of getting the infection. Lack of cleanliness often causes the disease to spread further. Therefore, living in crowded or contaminated places, increase the chance of spreading this disease. CA-MRSA is also common in men who have sex with multiple partners and those who are drug addicts.

Preventing the spread

MRSA infection spreads very fast. Like most staph infections, it appears on a person’s skin or nose. The disease may spread when you maintain a constant proximity to some, especially when the person is sneezing. It is interesting to note that healthy people can carry and spread the disease and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to be easily effected by MRSA.

The only way to prevent the spread is by maintaining proper hygiene. It is important to keep your hands clean, cover up any cuts or scrapes and not sharing personal items such as towels, clothing and combs. Certain medications also help in controlling the spread of this disease.

Safflower oil is extracted from the sallower plant seeds which is a lesser known member of the sunflower plant family. The safflower plant is a highly branched plant with long spines and thistles on its leaves. The plant has unusual yet beautiful bright yellow colored globular flowers which may range anywhere between bright sunshine yellow to dark amber. As these plants have strong taproots, they thrive in dry regions and soils but are susceptible to harm due to frost or high moisture content in the soil. The oil is extracted from the seeds of the plant which are hidden beneath the petals of the safflower flower.

Types and Benefits of Safflower Oil

There are 2 types of safflower oils. One type is high is monounsaturated fatty acids and are excellent for deep frying purposes. This type of safflower oil has a very high smoking point and can be easily stored in room temperatures in an air tight container for a long period. The other type of safflower oil is the polyunsaturated oil which is great for cold usage like salad dressing. This type of oil is considered much healthier to be consumed in cold form (that is without cooking). However, the polyunsaturated safflower oil has a very short shelf life and goes rancid fast if not stored in cold and dry conditions. The best way to store these types of oil is in air tight containers in the refrigerator.

Safflower oil has highly beneficial qualities. Because of the high polyunsaturated fatty acid content, it aids in strengthening of cell membranes and reduction of cholesterol. It is also considered effective in reducing fat deposit in the body. Safflower oil is often recommended by physicians and dietitians for people suffering from diabetes and obesity. It promotes healthy skin and hair.

Warnings and disadvantages of Safflower oil

In spite of the many benefits of safflower oil, there are some basic disadvantages attached to it as well. Excess consumption of the oil may lead to weight gain. Some people also have allergic reactions to safflower oil. These allergic reactions may cause damage to skin, hair, and various internal organs. Another great disadvantage is that the oil has a short shelf life and is prone to getting rancid if not stored properly. Care needs to be taken in storage and the oil should be kept in air tight container and in a cool and dry place.

Substitutes of Safflower Oil

Because of some of the above mentioned disadvantages, many consumers prefer to use other ingredients which have the same benefits as safflower oil but not the disadvantages.

Listed below are some of the common substitutes of safflower oil.

• Canola Oil: Extracted out of the seeds of canola plant, canola oil proves to be a great substitute for safflower oil. It is low is saturated fat and has a high content of Omega 3 fatty acid and monounsaturated fat. Because of its neutral flavor, it is popularly used in cold preparations like as salad dressing. The health claims of canola oil is well recognized by the Food and Drug Association (FDA) and it is popularly recommended by many dietitians for people who suffer from high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.
• Soybean Oil: Soybean oil is extracted from soybeans. This oil has many healthy properties and is cheaply available all across the world. Even post extraction, the oils contains a large amount of natural antioxidants which promote overall health. Because of the high smoking point of soybean oil, it is very suitable for deep frying purposes. Many producers often hydrogenate soybean oil to increase its shelf life. However this process unhealthy trans fat is generated which is not advisable for consumption. It is therefore recommended that you consume soybean oil in the original and natural extraction form.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil has been the long standing blue eyed baby in the world of the health conscious people. Extracted from olives, this oil has very high content of monounsaturated acids which proves to be extremely beneficial for people with heart diseases. Study suggests that a consumption of 2 teaspoon of olive oil in daily diet reduces the risk of coronary diseases. Moreover as the oil is neutral in flavor and smell, it is very highly suitable for cooking and baking purposes. In fact the world of bakery has now acknowledged olive oil as a healthy substitute for the margarine and fat usage that is essential in most recipes. Olive oil is also popularly used for external application to skin and hair as an effective yet subtle enough moisturizer.

Every time we gain a little weight or see some tires across our tummy, we blame it on our metabolism. If you have always envied the high metabolism rate of your friend who can eat as much carbohydrates or sugar as he/she wants and still not gain even a single pound, it is time you try some natural ways to increase your metabolic rate. By making some simple lifestyle changes you can safely and naturally boost your metabolism. Just follow the pointers given below, and you will soon be burning more calories and start losing the extra pounds that you packed on due to unhealthy lifestyle choices.

Stop skipping meals

One of the biggest mistakes that you can do in a bid to lose weight is skipping meals. People tend to believe that by drastically reducing their calorie intake, they can get their body to burn off stored fat to meet the energy requirement. However, what happens is the exact opposite. As soon as you start skipping meals, the body reads it as a famine phase and slows down the metabolism rate so as to conserve fat for future use.

Thus, you will most likely gain more weight by skipping meals. The best way to go about this is by eating six to eight small meals a day that have a high nutrient to calorie ratio. It is best to keep 2 hours gap between the meals. This way your metabolism rate will remain high throughout the day and your body will let go stored fat as it will be assured of regular food intake and subsequent energy supply.

Make exercising a part of your daily life

All of us know the benefits of exercising for healthy living as well as weight loss. However, not many of us are aware that regular exercising (in particular strength training) helps to increase the metabolic rate of the body. Once you follow a strength training regimen that includes pushups, squats and bicep and triceps curls, you will lose body fat and gain lean muscle mass. Even aerobics and resistance training are extremely useful in this regard.

If you are too tied up with work at home or office, you can still incorporate some other kind of physical activity in your day to day life, such as brisk walking, jogging, cycling or swimming. If you keep sitting at your desk all day long or prefer being a couch potato, you can never expect to get the physique that you have always dreamt of. Simple lifestyle changes such as taking stairs instead of the elevator and walking the dog yourself instead of hiring a dog walker can make a positive change in your body as well as life.

Follow a protein rich diet

It is a medically proven fact that protein plays a vital role in stabilizing insulin secretion in to the blood stream of an individual. This in turn, controls the metabolism rate of the body that can be boosted by following a protein rich diet. In fact, nutritionists and medical practitioners across the world recommend a daily intake of at least 70 grams of protein to maintain a fit and lean body.

Moreover, human body requires more energy to digest proteins in comparison to crabs or fats. Thus, by increasing your daily intake of protein rich foods such as lentils, poultry, fish and baked beans, you can make your body work harder for digesting the same and lose more calories in the process. Recent medical researches have shown that people who substituted nearly 20% of their carbohydrate intake with proteins increased their calorie burning rate by as much as 5%.

Do not miss out on a good night’s sleep

Today’s fast paced life has left people with lesser time for relaxation. This has taken a major toll on the sleeping habits of both men and women who hardly get more than four to five hours of sound sleep in a day. This has given rise to the country wide epidemic of late night munching that is a major culprit behind obesity. That apart, people who get less than 4 hours of sleep a day have slower metabolism rate and tend to pack on pounds much faster than their counterparts who get adequate sleep. It is advisable to get at least eight hours of sleep in a day. This not only helps boost metabolism but is good for the skin and body as well.

Include antioxidants in your diet

We are all well aware of the fact that antioxidants help fight free radicals in our body. However, it has recently been found that antioxidant rich diet also helps in speeding up metabolism rate of the body. Thus, you can switch to green tea from coffee if you want to lose some weight. You can also increase your metabolism rate by going for regular saunas as body temperature is closely related to its ability to burn calories.