OVERWEIGHT
AND
UNDERWEIGHT
METROPOLITAN LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY
HOME OFFICE: NEW YORK
Pacific Coast Head Office: San Francisco
Canadian Head Office: Ottawa
CONTENTS
- PAGE
- What Is Desirable Weight? 3
- Overweight and Its Dangers 5
- What Makes a Person Fat? 5
- Why Do People Overeat? 6
- How to Lose Weight 7
- The Body’s Need for Food 8
- The Body’s Need for Exercise 11
- What About Short Cuts? 12
- How Many Calories? 13
- On Keeping a Record 19
- Special Problems 19
- Underweight and Its Dangers 22
- What Causes Underweight? 22
- How to Gain Weight 23
- Adding Extra Calories 24
- Saving Energy 24
- Calorie Tables 25
Edition of January 1953
COPYRIGHT 1950, METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY.
P.F.M.—PRINTED IN U.S.A.—(u) 380 L. W. (Edition Jan. 1953)
What Is Desirable Weight?
Desirable weight is a very individual thing. It may bedescribed as the weight at which a person both looks andfeels his best. Height, bone structure, and muscular developmentmust all be taken into account.
Because no two people are alike, weight tables cannotshow with complete accuracy exactly what every individualshould weigh. The tables shown here are given as a guiderather than as a rigid standard to which everyone shouldconform. They show desirable weights for men and womenat age 25 and over. After a person is full grown and hasreached his best weight, he should not gain or lose muchfor the rest of his life. It used to be considered inevitableand normal for people to get heavier toward middle age.We know now that it is not a normal part of getting older,not healthy, and not necessary.
Life is much easier in many ways for people who are nottoo fat or too thin. They usually feel and look better. Theyare apt to live longer. They are less likely to suffer frombackaches, foot troubles, constant fatigue, and a host ofdaily discomforts. They have more fun buying clothes.Normal weight is worth any effort it takes to reach andkeep—worth it