How Body Mass Index Affects Health - A-Z of the NHS - Dr Gill

Body Mass Index of BMI often confuses people, so today BMI Explained - is the next focus for our A-Z of the NHS series

Join myself, Dr James Gill, along with consultant Dr Andy Stein as we look at what BMI means for your health. Whilst BMI is a valid tool for looking at risk, but also in the circumstances where body mass index breaks down - Mr Schwarzenegger we're looking at you!

James discusses some of the facts that contribute to appetite, and how approaches to diet and weight loss cannot be a one size fits all (But don't worry, we elected NOT to use the most emaciated picture of James from the Island to illustrate the point!)

Enjoy!

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#BMI #AtoZoftheNHS #DrGill

00:00 - Introduction to BMI and Obesity
03:01 - The Prevalence of Obesity
03:55 - Addressing Obesity and Weight Loss Strategies
05:50 - Childhood Obesity Concerns
07:01 - Stigma and Misconceptions Surrounding Obesity
08:07 - Role of Diet and Nutrition in Managing Obesity
09:35 - Personal Experiences with Weight and Appetite Control
11:08 - Practical Steps for Managing Weight
13:02 - Considering Bariatric Surgery
16:11 - Final Thoughts

[captblk]

Who knew that the prospect of calculating BMI in his head would get Dr. Gill so animated!? Loved that moment! And as always, a wonderfully informative video.

[manny_f]

I lost 40 pounds of body fat by counting calories to limit my caloric intake and doing a bit of exercise every day (cycling to work). The key really was counting calories. In our society food is readily available and we need to learn to limit the amount of calories we consume. It's crazy how easy it is to mis-calculate calories and therefore put on weight. The most important thing I learnt was that feeling hungry doesn't mean you are not getting enough calories, it just means, potentially, that what you've eaten is not satiating enough.

[jaredknight]

This is a topic Im very interested in. Living in America we have an even worse problem with eating disorders. I believe its about 66% of Americans are either overweight or obese. I used to think as a child that those who were overweight and obese simply didnt exercise enough and I thought they were lazy with little self control. As Ive gotten older Ive come to realize the factors that can contribute to an individual being overweight. Im glad you have mentioned things like depression as a contributing factor. Its very sad how people can become overweight and obese and I wish there were easy options for them to become a normal weight. Sadly a percentage have to turn to risky surgeries like you mentioned or risk never losing the weight. Thanks for the video

[alliee]

Good evening Dr. Gill, thank you for this video. I was disappointed that the category of being 'underweight' and it's associated health risks was omitted from this video. As someone with a BMI currently below 15.5 I feel that the health risks of being underweight are largely omitted from popular societal discourse. This omission and the narrative that there's no such thing as 'too thin' within parts of society (not this video specifically of course) reflect how difficult it is to communicate the severity of risk associated with being underweight, especially in terms of heart, bone, hormonal and reproductive health. By focusing the narrative on the negative health outcomes associated with the higher end of the weight spectrum it can be difficult for people who are underweight to fully understand or believe the severity of risk associated with being even only slightly (let alone severely) underweight which can hinder their ability/willingness to seek or accept medical help. Now I understand this video was intended for a broad audience to whom the obesity messaging is more applicable and in general stands to do more good. I'm used to putting my personal feelings aside in order to support what will help the 'greater good', however I must say it stung to see this video ignore the issue of being underweight. I admire your videos and was really hoping you'd cover this topic with the balanced and nuanced approach which you usually employ. You say in the video that "when something becomes normal it's hard to see that it's a problem" and I would say that in addition "when it's not spoken about its hard to see that it's a problem" too. Thank you again for the videos and I hope you take my comment on the constructive spirit in which it was intended.

[Monolith]

This is a wonderful insight into metabolic and weight problems. I'm strongly agree with the stigmatization that society has on weight issues and what some mental illnesses can lead, but it is also curious how some people within society tend to normalize and see with acceptance "being fat" after all the problems and bad outcomes that resulted from bullying. Now it is more common to hear parents saying to their kids to love as you are, your weight is ok (being overweight or obese) . As medical professionals we have to implement an educational consultation on our daily routine to patients and to not see this "normal". These issues still killing people worldwide.

Greetings and very nice job colleagues. Keep it up!

[starfishgurl]

I’m really happy to see that mentioned because I was the smallest of my siblings at birth and I was almost 9 Lbs. (4.082331 kg) so our bodies are somewhat built like solid muscular tree trunks which completely alter our BMI results because it fails to take bone/muscle mass in proportion to the amount of fat for our size/frame into account so I’ll always be seen as overweight according to my BMI even if health wise that’s not actually the case.

That being said there was a time when I was overweight/obese and that’s because I didn’t know about the existence of the terms for asexuality, aromanticism, demigenders, and sensory and auditory processing disorders despite struggling with all of those so once I finally discovered them my mental health completely changed and my weight loss soon followed as a result. Great topic!

[kristiandepue]

This was very interesting to listen to, but I was distracted by Dr. Gill's shoes. I want those kicks.

[neus]

So we could say thay the % of body fat is a much better indicator of health that BMI but measuring it at home is a pain. Do you have any recommendations to measure it at home?

[asahk]

- exercise so that you feel better, have more energy, and more joy in life...

I've heard this many many many times. I've heard it too much. In fact, I'm gonna get angry at the next person who says this to me. I don't feel good after exercise. I feel like dying. I sleep 4 hours afterwards. I can't stand, focus. I feel light headed and I just don't feel good. I've never felt good. I got a personal trainer, so I know I'm doing it right... but I still don't enjoy anything about it. I dread it every single time. I dread the whole workout time, and what comes after it. It takes so much time for me to recover, I'm actually thinking of stopping it...

[shawndavis]

Hey doctor can a urologist tell if you have scar tissue or damage in penis from priapism with just a hands on physical examination i went to a urologist who examined me like that and he said im good. But online it says you need a ultrasound but he said i dont need anything

[aeward]

I find the bmi thing a bit odd. I'm about 10 stone and only 5ft 2 and apparently - overweight.
I'm a size 10 on the bottom, size 8 on the top. As you can see from my profile picture, taken last summer, I'm not what anyone would look at and say that I needed to lose weight. I'm active, enjoy walking and biking, kayaking etc.. I have felt my middle is a little heavier in the last year, I'm a mum whose getting towards 40.
I used to be able to eat whatever I liked and not put on weight and I recognise that isn't so much the case in the last 5 years or so.
I feel for the nhs bmi index to call me overweight is a bit of an insult to be honest. I'm glad I'm not the sort to take it too much to heart as I know, for me, I'm an ok weight and I don't feel I look fat. I don't do diets.. I don't know why anyone would be so strict and make themselves miserable and guilt ridden, I just eat sensibly and get out and about.

[jdbaidn]

Will the B12 video be uploaded shortly or am I missing where the link should be? Thanks so much for these videos!

[howardasternfan]

I'm currently dieting. I've tried multiple times the low carb one with only short term results. I've discovered intermittent fasting. I started a month ago. It's the first time in 10 years I've been below 200 lbs. I'm down about 15lbs with 25 more to go. Good luck to all that are trying. It's tough but you can do it.

[rebeccaturner]

A very interesting and informative video, thank you, Dr. Gill! My BMI is at 16.8 which I believe is considered underweight. I do however have EDS, not sure if that is a factor.

[laurenhw]

Whilst I think BMI is certainly a good tool for many, I do think there is not nearly enough attention paid to body type. For example my body fat is low for a woman, my muscle mass is in the high range. My body type is definitely more muscular but I'm in no way an athlete or body builder. I work out for an hour 3 to 4 times a week and am very fit. I'm a size 10 on top and size 12 on my bottom (I'm naturally very hippy). And yet my BMI is 27, putting me well into the overweight range.

[Xepscern]

Is there any difference between how high a BMI is after 30? My BMI is... quite high, and Im unsure how urgent it is for me to see a doctor about it

[laurenclark]

Mine is zero. Sick for a year with no answers. Terrified. 90# 5'6"

[anarup]

BMI is a load of rubbish imo, especially when I comes to polynesians.
I have a flat stomach, large chest, 20inch calf muscles and tree trunk thighs but I am "morbidly obese". I would guess my body fat is near 12-15% but BMI indicates I would need to lose weight or that I ammat risk

[SparkesIsRunning]

piled on weight since starting amitryptiline for migraine in november! Dont feel hungry so not sure why?

[eliiiahhh]

I feel kinda offended, because he didn't talk about people with lower bmi, like there wouldnt be any people who have lower bmi