Overweight, obesity and your BMI score
Body mass index (BMI) is an internationally recognised method to classify the measure of your body fat (whether you are fat or thin) based on your height and weight. This BMI measurement allows health professionals to discuss weight problems more objectively with their patients. Other measurements include abdomen : hip ratio (men with a ratio > 1.0 or women > 0.85 have a risk risk of heart disease, diabetes and hypertension) and waist : height ratio (normal ratio is 0.4 to 0.49 while a ratio of > 0.6 is associated with increased health risk).
How to measure your Body Mass Index (BMI)
So for example; for a 74 kg person who is 1.6m tall, the BMI is calculated as
Check your own BMI score now in 3 seconds!
BMI
What does your BMI mean
Your BMI classifies you into one of several categories namely from underweight to obese. High BMI is associated with higher risks of many diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, strokes and also cancer.
What can you do if you have an Unhealthy BMI Score?
You need to make healthy choices to what and how you eat as well as how much you exercise. This is important as losing weight to a normal BMI will REDUCE your Risk of heart attack, diabetes, hypertension or even cancer. If you are overweight, start by taking small steps to lose weight through nutrition and exercise with the aim to lose 5-10% of your body weight as your first goal.
- Healthy diet by eating more vegetables, fruits, lean protein and whole grains.
- Aim for 30-60 minutes per day of physical activity
- Behavioural change may be required with the help of a lifestyle coach or counsellor
- Medication such as Semaglutide may be prescribed by your doctor as adjunct therapy to diet and exercise
- Bariatric surgery is an option for people with BMI higher than 35 associated with health conditions related to their weight
Discuss with your Doctor, Wellness Physician, Dietician or Nutritionist about Healthy Eating
Disclaimer. TELEME blog posts contains general information about health conditions and treatments. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information is not advice and should not be treated as such.
If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition, you should seek immediate medical attention from your doctor or other professional healthcare providers. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website.