Determining medical categorisation for your weight

The most common way to determine if you are overweight is to calculate your BMI (body mass index). This is a measure of whether your weight is regarded as healthy in proportion to your height.

The NHS uses BMI measurements to give patients a medical categorisation for their weight:

• 18.5 to 24.9 - you are a healthy weight for your height

• 25 to 29.9 - you are overweight for your height

• 30 to 39.9 - you are obese for your height

• 40 or above - you are severely obese for your height

For most people, BMI is a way of determining if they are a healthy weight. However, it should be noted that BMI is not a method of determining or diagnosing obesity. This is because some people with high muscle density can have a higher BMI despite having less body fat.

Another way of calculating your levels of excess fat is measuring your waist size. The NHS states that typically, men who have a waist measurement of 94cm or more and women who have a waist measurement of 80cm or more are at a higher risk of developing obesity-related health issues.

What causes excess weight build-up?

When we consume foods, particularly those high in fat and sugar, the fat is stored in our bodies as energy reserves. Excess weight can usually be attributed to a higher intake of fat than the level of fat metabolised through physical activity.

Excess weight can also be caused by several health conditions (including hypothyroidism), and sometimes due to side effects of certain medications (including some steroids and some mental health related medications).

What are the risks of being overweight?

Being severely overweight can cause health issues that impact your daily activities such as:

• Breathlessness
• Excessive sweating
• Increased fatigue
• Difficulty in doing physical activities
• Joint and back pain

Having too much excess weight can also put you at risk of certain health conditions such as coronary heart disease, stroke, some types of cancer (such as breast cancer and bowel cancer) and type 2 diabetes. It can also exaggerate symptoms of existing health conditions like asthma and impact your mental health and self-esteem.

Treatments for weight loss

At Pharmica, we offer several licensed and expert recommended weight loss medications that work by reducing your body’s fat intake during digestion. These are effective when combined with lifestyle changes (such as eating healthier and committing to regular exercise). The weight loss medications that we offer include:

• Orlistat (120mg): a weight loss aid for adults with a BMI over 30, or those with a BMI over 28 with an associated risk of certain health conditions (diabetes, hypertension, heart disease or high cholesterol).
• Xenical (120mg): a branded version of Orlistat, used to assist weight loss in adults with a BMI over 30, or those with a BMI over 28 with an associated risk of certain health conditions (diabetes, hypertension, heart disease or high cholesterol).
• Orlos (60mg): an alternative weight loss aid for adults with a BMI of 28 or above.
• Alli (60mg): a weight loss aid for adults with a BMI of 28 or higher.

What lifestyle changes can help you lose weight?

The most recommended lifestyle changes to lose weight are changing your eating habits (both what you are eating, how much you are eating and when you are eating) and increasing how much physical activity you do per week. To find out how to improve your weight loss results, read our guide to getting the most out of your weight loss treatment.