Do you assess waist and BMI with your clients?

“It’s hard to lose weight but it’s harder to be overweight.”

 Waist size and body mass index (BMI)

There are a few numbers you should know when finding out if your clients are a healthy size. Weight is just one of them. Waist size is another.

Waist size is important because fat can build up around the waist and cause future health problems. Waist size is easy to measure. Wrap a tape measure around your client’s waist, just above the hip bones. Have them exhale, then quickly measure. A measurement over 35 inches for women or over 40 inches for men is a sign they are at greater risk for heart disease or Type 2 diabetes.

Your clients should also know their body mass index (BMI). It is measured by dividing total weight in pounds by height in inches. Then, divide this answer by the height in inches again. Finally, multiply this answer by 703. Or save time by using the handy calculator on the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute site at

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm

Studies have shown that people with a BMI of 25 or more are more likely to die early from heart disease or cancer. The chances are much higher for people with a BMI of 30.

These simple basic metrics should be a part of every client’s assessment, so they can be aware of where they stand. This can also help provide an additional goal for clients and some added motivation.

For more info visit anthem.com for more ways to get healthy — and stay healthy.

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