The oily African money
The question is: Why is it that
whenever an African gets more money they become more obese? While other people
(say Americans) get slimmer as more money gets in? Supposing the color of the
notes influences people’s lifestyle choices; for instance, since the note of
the highest value is reddish in color (in Tanzanian shillings), it motivates
people to eat more meat and fats. And since the American dollar is greenish,
people eat more vegetables. But that is only an unscientific assumption.
Another way to explain this is the
fact that in most African cultures the words “fat” and “healthy” are
synonymous.
It is commonly heard of that African
men prefer their women fat because they get places to grab (love handles). And
African women prefer their men fat because it is a sign of wealth.
Enough with the assumptions.
Scientifically, every person has their appropriate weight, depending on their
height and body frame size.
The following is the appropriate body weight to height chart
for men and women:
Height
|
Weight
(Kilograms)
|
||
Feet
and inches
|
Centimeters
|
Males
|
Females
|
4’ 6”
|
137.16
|
28 – 35
|
28 – 35
|
4’ 7”
|
139.7
|
30 – 39
|
30 – 37
|
4’ 8”
|
142.24
|
33 – 40
|
32 – 40
|
4’ 9”
|
144.78
|
35 – 44
|
35 – 42
|
4’ 10”
|
147.32
|
38 – 40
|
36 – 45
|
4’ 11”
|
149.86
|
40 – 50
|
39 – 47
|
5’ 0”
|
152.4
|
43 – 53
|
40 – 50
|
5’ 1”
|
154.94
|
45 – 55
|
43 – 52
|
5’ 2”
|
157.48
|
48 – 59
|
45 – 55
|
5’ 3”
|
160.02
|
50 – 61
|
47 – 57
|
5’ 4”
|
162.56
|
53 – 65
|
49 – 60
|
5’ 5”
|
165.1
|
55 – 68
|
51 – 62
|
5’ 6”
|
167.64
|
58 – 70
|
53 – 65
|
5’ 7”
|
170.18
|
60 – 74
|
55 – 67
|
5’ 8”
|
172.72
|
63 – 76
|
57 – 70
|
5’ 9”
|
175.26
|
65 – 80
|
59 – 72
|
5’ 10”
|
177.8
|
67 – 83
|
61 – 75
|
5’ 11”
|
180.34
|
70 – 85
|
63 – 77
|
6’ 0”
|
182.88
|
72 – 89
|
65 – 80
|
Note that the above chart is only
applicable to healthy adults.
Regardless of beliefs and myths, all
people are supposed to be of their appropriate body weight. And it is possible
to reach to your particular weight.
The question is how. But it is in no
doubt that there must be some lifestyle changes.
