Understanding BMI: What It Means for Your Health After 40
An Introduction to BMI
BMI (Body Mass Index) is something we’ve all heard of, but we’re not always familiar with. BMI is a measurement formed from the combination of your weight and height. It helps to easily and accurately determine whether you're at a healthy weight based on your measurements, and if you’re at risk of certain health conditions.
Your BMI is measured by dividing your weight by your height squared, it also takes your ethnicity into account. The best way to calculate your BMI is with the NHS BMI Calculator.
Find out more about our weight management service.
Who is the BMI calculator for?
As useful as BMI is, it is only one measurement of health, it does not determine the difference between muscle and fat and is therefore not suitable for everyone – such as people with lot’s of muscle mass but minimal body fat.
If you are concerned about your weight and need professional advice, learn more about our weight management service.
Why BMI Matters After 40
It’s common knowledge that it gets more challenging to maintain weight as we age, but it’s not impossible. Everyone is different, and we come in various shapes and sizes, so there’s no ‘correct’ weight for your age.
After we hit 40, our hormones and metabolism can change, making it trickier to maintain our weight. If you’re concerned about your weight change and how it might affect your health, measuring your BMI helps quickly determine your recommended weight based on your proportions, instead of your age.
Related Article: Weight Loss Myths Debunked
Interpreting Your BMI Results
After entering your details into the NHS BMI calculator, the results of your BMI will fit into one of four categories:
Underweight (Average adult range: Below 18.5)
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If your BMI is too low, you could be at risk of a weak immune system, fragile bones and malnutrition. Being underweight may be caused by various health conditions such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), some cancers, and eating disorders such as anorexia. Mental health issues like depression, body dysmorphia, and alcohol use disorder can also cause low BMI. Treatments such as chemotherapy can also cause weight loss.
A Healthy Weight (Average adult range: 18.5 to 24.9)
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If your BMI lands in the healthy weight category, you’re likely a healthy weight for your height and therefore less at risk of certain health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. However, being in the healthy weight category doesn’t mean you have zero risk of developing health conditions, and you should still consult with your pharmacist if something feels out of the ordinary.
Overweight (Average adult range: 25 to 29.9)
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The overweight category indicates that you are over the recommended weight for someone of your proportions. This means you may be more susceptible to weight-related health conditions such as diabetes or heart problems. However, there may be other causes, such as your muscle mass and health conditions, hormone imbalances, and some treatments.
Booking a weight management service with Rowlands Pharmacy allows you and the pharmacist to go into depth on your health and lifestyle and determine whether weight loss treatment can help you get back on track to reach a healthy weight.
Obese (Average adult range: Over 30)
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If someone is obese, it means that they carry excess body fat which can severely impact their health and day-to-day life. Being obese can further increase risk of serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, organ failure, stroke, some cancers, and type 2 diabetes.
If you are struggling with obesity, there is help out there for you. You can self-refer for help with your weight at your GP surgery or online. Your pharmacist can also help you get on track with advised fitness and diet plans.
BMI Alternatives
If you’re still unsure if you’re a healthy weight, another way to measure your weight is by measuring your waist to see how much fat is around your tummy. Your waist measurement should be half your height.
Healthy Habits and Tips for Managing BMI
If you’re unhappy with your BMI results, you can make positive changes to your life to reach your healthy weight.
What not to do
Making extreme lifestyle changes, such as cutting out a lot of food, and over-exercising, will not only increase your chances of losing motivation, but you can also damage your body – and in some cases, eating too little can even lead to weight gain. The Crash Diet can cause your body to hold on to whatever calories it can to maintain your energy balance. It can also lead to poor nutrition, gallstones, and low blood sugar.
Losing weight requires training your body and mind by slowly but surely establishing the right mindset and routine.
What you should do
A healthy weight is all about maintenance and balance. Instead of jumping into the deep end and starting a strict diet, find a balance that works for you. Reaching a healthy weight doesn’t just happen in a few weeks, it’s a lifestyle, and as our bodies evolve, our healthy habits need to evolve with it. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Learn how pharmacy can help you begin your health journey with our weight management service.
Also read: The Power of Mindful Eating
Support is available to you
Remember, reaching your healthy weight isn’t a solo task. There are plenty of resources and support groups out there for you. As always, our local Rowlands Pharmacist is happy to offer a helping hand, whether providing weight loss treatment or recommending the best pharmacy products for your needs. Reach out to us to find out more.
