Introduction to Body Mass Index
Antara uses a measure called Body Mass Index to assess your risk of developing serious health issues in the future.
BMI is a way to figure out if your weight is appropriate for your height. It is a calculated value that has been shown to be a great predictor of health outcomes. Using BMI instead of just weight is a much more accurate way of figuring out if a person's weight is in the healthy range.
A healthy BMI should be between 18.5 to 24.9
The Health Risks of Low BMI:
Having a Low BMI puts you at higher risk for a number of serious health conditions, including:
Osteoporosis- brittle and weak bones.
Skin, hair and teeth problems- if one does not get enough nutrients from their daily diet, they may experience symptoms like thinning of hair, dry skin and poor dental health.
Decreased immune function- inadequate nutrient intake often leaves the body vulnerable and unable to fight infections. Experiencing common illnesses such as colds lasting longer than they should.
Fatigue- not eating enough calories to maintain a healthy weight leaves one feeling frequently tired.
Slow or impaired growth- we need nutrients to grow and develop healthy bones. Inadequate intake of nutrients can delay growth and development.
Nutrient deficiencies- reduced intake of certain foods can lead to deficiency of nutrients such as iron, vitamin D and calcium.
In addition to the conditions listed above, having a reduced BMI can also affect you in a number of ways that may not be immediately life-threatening, but may reduce your overall quality of life.
The Health Risks of High BMI:
A high BMI is considered to be above 25.0. Having an elevated BMI puts you at higher risk for a number of serious health conditions, including:
high blood pressure
heart disease
strokes
diabetes
certain kinds of cancer like breast cancer or bowel cancer
These are all serious conditions that should be avoided, which is why it's important to take action sooner rather than later. Just to be clear, reducing BMI is not about changing the way you look, it is about improving your health and reducing your risk of developing serious conditions in the future.
Having a high BMI may put a strain on certain day-to-day activities such as:
Difficulty doing physical activity
often feeling very tired
Joint and back pain.
Breathlessness
Low confidence and self-esteem
Sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea and snoring)
Increased sweating
The Good News:
The good news is that some simple lifestyle changes can go a long way towards getting your BMI up to a healthy level. A few improvements to how you eat, and how you stay active can have a huge positive impact.
As an Antara Member, your Health Management Plan (HMP) contains personalized nutrition plans designed to help you make the changes necessary to improve your BMI.
What's more Antara will be there to support you for every step of the way with our cutting edge approach and the support of your Health Navigator.
Let your Antara Nutritionist know if you are having any difficulties or challenges in managing your diet. Book a session with an Antara Nutritionist through the Antara App or by clicking here.