Nestlé Caribbean Region. Take a High Five for Life.

Check Health, take a hi five for life

The BMI or Mass Index gives us an indication of how much fat a person has in relation to their weight and height. It helps to determine weather a person is underweight, normal, overweight or obese. Even though it does not provide us with a distinction between the fat and the non fat components of the overall body mass (muscle to fat ratio), it is still the most practical method to evaluate one’s degree of risk associated with obesity.

Your BMI is , if your BMI is less than 18.5, based on your height, you are considered to be underweight. You should speak to your doctor or health professional to help determine the possible causes, as well as for the best advice on weight gain.

Your BMI is , if your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, based on your height, you are considered to have a healthy weight. A healthy/ normal body weight is one that would lower your risk of nutrition-related diseases.

Your BMI is , if your BMI is between 25 and 29.9, based on your height, you are considered to be overweight. In this group, there is a growing risk to develop chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol.

Your BMI is , if your BMI is 30 or more, based on your height, you are considered to be obese. At this point, there is a moderate to high risk of developing chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol.

Your BMI is , if your BMI is 40 or more, based on your height, you are considered Morbidly Obese. Suffering Morbid Obesity puts you at a very high risk of developing chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiac arrest, arthritis and other life threatening illnesses.

It is very important to put life measures in place to reduce your weight and as such improve your health. The best way is usually to combine a healthy diet with regular physical exercise. You should speak to your doctor, health care professional, and dietician, to determine the best suited way for you to lose weight.

Know Your Body Feelings and Signs NEW!

Checking your health is not only about booking an appointment to see the doctor and getting results. Checking your health is also about knowing the different feelings and signals that your body gives you when you are in good health vs. when you are not.

It is also about doing the recommended self-examinations.

Remember that your body is just like a car – everything does not “shut-down’ at once. There are always signals or signs when things are going wrong. It could be a noise, weak battery, or a shaky engine. Therefore, it is first the car owner’s responsibility to pick up on these signals and take action to prevent further complications and/or total breakdown.

With regards to the human body, the only person who will be truly able to determine when to stop and check your health is you. Get in tune with your body, listen for the sounds, and feel the signals of change in order for you to take charge.

Here is how to get started

• Note how your heart feels after exercising or climbing stairs – increased heart and breathing rate. If you experience dizziness or chest/breathing discomfort – check with your doctor.

• Record how many times you have headaches during the month – when and why. If you do not have headaches – great.

• Know how often you go to the bathroom during the day to urinate – and why (cold, drinking a lot of fluids including alcohol. If no, and over 40 check with your doctor).