Know Your Health Numbers
2022 Iowa City Go Red for Women- Photo Cred Whitney Linville Redhead Media
Knowing your health numbers and the optimal ranges they should be is one of the first steps you can take on your health journey.
Knowledge is power and by knowing your baseline numbers, you and your health care provider can determine what steps you can take to make those numbers better.
All of these numbers can be directly and positively impacted through lifestyle changes and daily health habits. Check out below the recommended ranges for your health numbers as well as some of the recommended numbers tied directly to lifestyle habits that you can begin right now to improve your health numbers!
KNOW Your Health Numbers!
Optimal Health Number Ranges:
Body Mass Index (BMI): Between 18.5-24.9
Waistline: Less than 35” Women, 40” Men
Total Cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL
Blood Pressure: 120/80 mmHg
Blood Sugar: Less than 100 mg/dL, HbA1c less than 6% (Pre-Diabetic)
Check out this form by the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association that you can use as a guide when it comes to knowing your numbers!
IMPROVE Your Health Numbers!
Lifestyle Habits & Recommended Amounts for Healthy Adults
Water Intake: 8 glasses/day
Added Sugar: Adults 6-9 tsp (24-36 gms)/day
Sodium: 1500- 2300 mg/day
Caffeine: Less than 400 mg/day
Sleep: 7.5-8 hours/night
Physical Activity: Minimum of 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise Minimum of 2 days of strength training to major muscle groups/week
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