OBESITY & WEIGHT LOSS

Most of us would admit to wanting to lose weight. Today’s lifestyle makes weight gain something of the norm.

Research shows that we all have different ways of losing weight, but when it comes to keeping weight off, there are three main factors which are common in those that succeed: regular weighing, a low-fat diet and regular exercise.

At Nutritional Concepts you will be given time to explore ways that would be suitable for you to lose weight. Your diet will be analysed in detail to ascertain your calorie intake and how you can make simple changes to your diet to reduce your energy intake without having to make unrealistic changes that you cannot maintain.

What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals around the world use BMI to determine whether a person is overweight or clinically obese. Obesity now affects 16 per cent of women and 20 per cent of men in Ireland, according to the North South Food Consumption Survey (2001).  A further 33 per cent of men and 46 per cent of men are overweight. This means they have a greater risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, stroke and certain cancers.

A significant drawback with BMI is that it doesn’t take into account a person’s body fat content which is an indicator of the risk of future health problems.

Adults and BMI

Your BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. You can estimate your BMI using our calculator. The result you get is then classified into the following groups

A BMI measurement is not as accurate if you’re an athlete or very muscular (muscle weighs more than fat) as this can push you into a higher BMI category even if you have a healthy level of body fat. It’s also not accurate for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or people who are frail.