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.

Advice for Eating out

Many of us are eating more and more meals away from home but it is still possible to choose healthy foods under these conditions.

  • Choose eating places, which give you more options to create or put your meal together
  • Choose a type of food with a bread base (e.g. hamburger, pita bread, pizza base,) rice, potato (not fried) or pasta
  • Select foods that are grilled, steamed, baked rather than heavily battered, fried (especially deep-fried), or in pastry
  • Avoid fatty meats and large amounts of cheese. If necessary choose to have one of these but not both
  • Look for milk-based high calcium foods e.g. milkshakes, Supligen, Peanut Punch instead of soft drink
  • Use salads, fruit or vegetables to add bulk to the meal. Have a salad with your burger instead of fries
  • Have either seafood or vegetarian or chicken/vegetable, ham/pineapple/vegetable topping on pizza instead of “meat lovers” special or “supreme with extra cheese”.
  • Be wary of added fats and dressings. Flavour your meals with tomato sauce, salsa, light dressing or mustard rather than cream, butter, sour cream and mayonnaise
  • “Super” or “Double” or “Mega meals” can contribute to overeating. Maintain single portion sizes and share or split large portions with friends or save for another meal during the day.

Tip
In order for you to look and feel fit, you need to eat properly. Vitamins and minerals pills are not solutions for poor eating habits. So focus on eating food and not tablets, especially teenagers and athletes.