The BMI formula is Weight (kg) / (Height (m))².
A BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered a healthy weight. Below 18.5 is classed as underweight, 25 to 29.9 as overweight, and 30 and above as obese.

In a scientific report published in January 2025 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, an international committee of experts called for obesity to be redefined. They stated that diagnosis should not be based solely on BMI as it is not the most reliable way to determine whether a person is suffering from obesity and its associated health risks. In the future, BMI should be used solely as a screening tool and not as a method of diagnosing obesity. For accurate diagnosis the distribution of body fat should be the decisive factor.

The expert committee further stated that distinguishing between pre-clinical and clinical obesity should lead to more personalised treatment approaches incorporating criteria such as waist circumference and body fat percentage. Accordingly, pre-clinical obesity is the term for a person with a higher level of body fat (BMI over 25) with no current health problems, while clinical obesity (BMI of 30 or more) goes hand in hand with existing health impairments such as hip and knee pain or abnormal organ function.

It is interesting to note here that even people with a healthy BMI – people who would generally be considered slim – can store excess fat in and around their organs. As humanity has evolved, our bodies have learned to keep reserves for times of need. However, since most of us consume more energy than we need each day, these fat reserves end up either as subcutaneous fatty tissue (directly beneath the skin) – often termed ‘love handles’ or the ‘spare tyre’ – or as visceral fat (often hidden) within the abdominal cavity. This invisible ‘belly fat’ may help to protect and support the organs, but because it is very metabolically active, it also increases health risks.

As we age, our bodies undergo significant changes: fat percentage increases, while body water, bone density and muscle mass decrease. After the age of 60, we can lose up to 40% of our lean body mass due to muscle loss. This often goes unnoticed on the scales, as additional fatty tissue develops. However, a lower muscle mass percentage means our basal metabolic rate declines with age. For example, by the age of 50, we require around 200 fewer calories per day than at 20, making dietary adjustments essential. An active lifestyle with plenty of exercise and regular training can help extend life expectancy. Building and maintaining healthy muscle mass by middle age lays the foundation for a long and active life with minimal limitations.

At Mount Med Resort, we take a new, tailored approach to holistic weight management.

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