Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health.

These terms have been used to replace traditionally emotive words such as 'fat' and 'skinny'. They are used in medical language and mainly are reflective of BMI.

The use of 'fat' as a purely descriptive term is being reclaimed in general society which should be applauded.

Body mass index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in metres (kg/m2).

For adults, WHO defines overweight and obesity as follows:

• overweight is a BMI greater than or equal to 25; and

• obesity is a BMI greater than or equal to 30

There are so many problems with BMI…

BMI is old - it was invented in the 1830s (yep!) and made popular in the 1970s. It does not consider: sex, race, age, genetics, difference in muscle mass or importantly, your metabolic health.

BMI can only and should only be used as a guide. We need to look at the whole person, not a number on the scales.

There has been increasing interest in a new marker to determine risk with higher weight. The waist circumference to height ratio distinguishes when weight is of concern in a more accurate way than BMI. There are still flaws, however it is an easy measurement and quick to calculate. >> CLICK HERE to measure.

Waist-to-Height Ratio = Waist Circumference / Height

The waist circumference should be measured at the midpoint between the last palpable rib and the top of the iliac crest, using a stretch‐resistant tape.

You are not your weight. You are a whole person who needs to be looked at as an individual.

However, increased weight can be associated with an increased risk of certain diseases.

Some of the ones we look for are:

• cardiovascular diseases (mainly heart disease and stroke)

• diabetes

• musculoskeletal disorders (especially osteoarthritis);

• some cancers (including endometrial, breast, ovarian, prostate, liver, gallbladder, kidney, and colon).

There are symptoms, signs and markers we can measure which can show your risk of these diseases. Losing weight in this context has been shown to help.

There are a number of new medications which can be used for weight management. Our doctor, Dr Rosemary Atkinson is happy to discuss these with you and prescribe a medication if appropriate. Medications are not a 'quick fix' however they can help overcome some of the barriers to losing weight. They should be used in addition to addressing diet, exercise, sleep and psychological struggles.

Yes! We now have two surgeons working with Noi Clinic. Check out more here.

We also help people before and after bariatric surgery who have had surgery elsewhere and would like further advice and support.

We work in close association with Bariatric Surgeons in Sydney and across Australia and have had extensive experience in managing patients who have had Lap Bands (including doing adjustments), sleeve gastrectomy, omega loop gastric bypass or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.