What is the BMI Risk tool?
The BMI Risk tool is a clinical risk measure of healthy weight that applies to adult men and women. A healthy weight is a number that is associated with a low risk of weight-related diseases and health issues.
Simply complete your health profile, if you haven't already done so when you signed up. Once we have all your required attributes we will calculate your score and provide you with your risk profile.
If the BMI Risk tool puts you ‘at risk’ of developing long-term health conditions, you can raise this with your doctor, at your next appointment. NowPatient can also qualify you for risk-reducing strategies such as weight loss interventions. If you qualify for weight loss treatments, you will see a red triangle appear on the BMI Risk tool. Clicking the red triangle, will allow you to book a consultation with a NowPatient weight management clinician who can provide you with healthy living and lifestyle-modulating strategies that can help you reduce your weight and risks to long term conditions. The clinician can also discuss weight management treatment options.
What is the BMI Risk Service and how does it work?
The BMI Risk Service is a clinical tool used to assess healthy weight in adult men and women. A healthy weight is defined as a value linked to a lower risk of weight-related diseases and health conditions.
Is BMI Risk Service safe for me to use?
Yes. The BMI Risk Service is classified as a class I medical device under UK MDR 2002 regulations, for its intended use.
How do I use the BMI Risk Service to obtain my BMI Risk Score?
You can view your BMI Risk Score by navigating to the ‘Personalised Insights’ section of the account homepage. Here you will see the BMI Risk Service Card.
If you completed the ‘Health Profile’ information when you first created your NowPatient account, the score will automatically be calculated and appear within the Service Card.
If the ‘Health Profile’ was not completed, then you will see that the BMI Risk Service Card is locked. Click the ‘Unlock’ button on the Service Card. This will present you with a series of questions which you will need to complete. Once you have completed the questions, you will be redirected to the account homepage, where you will be able to see your Score on the BMI Risk Score Service Card.
Why is it important to know my BMI Risk Score & how will I be notified?
The BMI Risk Service identifies and classifies health risks. Our AI algorithms trigger warnings based on your BMI Risk Score.
If our algorithm identifies a risk, you will receive a push notification with clinical advice on what to do next, which will be sent to your device, as well as an In-App notification which can be viewed in your ‘Notifications’ Section of the account homepage.
You can also view the warning advisory by clicking the ‘View Warning’ button on the BMI Risk Service Card.
What do the BMI Risk Scores mean?
The below table highlights the meaning behind your risk score.
Score | Risk Category | Advice |
Below 18.5 | Underweight | It is very important that you speak to your doctor |
18.5 - 24.9 | Healthy weight | No action |
25-29.9 | Overweight | You are classed as high risk. Making changes to diet and exercising or increase activity, can reduce your chances of developing weight related, long term health complications like diabetes
It is very important that you speak to your doctor about having a blood test to check for conditions like diabetes, as you can have type 2 diabetes for years without knowing. |
30 and over | Obese | You are classed as very high risk. Making changes to diet and exercising or increase activity, can reduce your chances of developing weight related, long term health complications like diabetes. It is very important that you speak to your doctor about having a blood test to check for conditions like diabetes, as you can have type 2 diabetes for years without knowing.
If you are an NHS patient, Your doctor can also refer you to weight management clinics to help you reduce your weight. |
How is the NowPatient BMI Risk Service different to traditional BMI calculators?
Traditional BMI calculators only use your height and weight to determine if you are at a healthy weight.
The NowPatient BMI Risk Service is an advanced measure that also takes into consideration other parameters such as your age, sex, waist size and ethnicity. For example, If you’re from a black and ethnic minority group, you’re at increased risk of type 2 diabetes with a BMI of 23 or more.
The BMI Risk Service utilises the following special category data:
Age
Height
Weight
Ethnicity
Waist size
What should I do if my score puts me at risk of developing long-term conditions?
If the BMI Risk Service classifies you ‘At Risk’ of developing long-term health conditions, you can raise this with your doctor, at your next appointment.
NowPatient can also automatically qualify you for risk reducing strategies such as the ‘Weight Loss Programs Service’. You will be notified if you are eligible for this.
How do I update my score?
We advise all users to update the ‘Health Profile’ monthly and also before any NowPatient Service Consultations that you may book.
The updated information you submit to the ‘Health Profile’ may affect your BMI Risk Score. This will be reflected in the BMI Risk Service Card as an updated score. This allows you to track the benefits of any lifestyle or medication interventions.
Why are you asking me for my waist size?
Although we do not use this in the NowPatient BMI Risk calculation, waist size is important because carrying too much fat around your stomach can raise your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke, even if you have a healthy BMI.
If your waist size is:
>94cm (37ins) for men
>80cm (31.5ins) for women
It means you are carrying too much fat around your stomach which can raise your risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. We recommend that you try and lose weight.
If your waist size is:
>102cm (40ins) for men
>88cm (34ins) for women
It means you are carrying too much fat around your stomach which can raise your risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. We recommend that you try and lose weight. You have a very high risk of developing long-term health conditions. You should make an appointment with your GP.
How do I measure my waist size?
To measure your waist size, follow the following steps:
Find the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips
Wrap a tape measure around your waist midway between these points
Breathe out naturally before taking the measurement
If my waist size indicates health risks, how and how often will you notify me?
Our AI algorithms trigger warnings based on your Waist readings. If our algorithm identifies a risk, you will receive a push notification with clinical advice on what to do next, which will be sent to your device, as well as an In-App notification which can be viewed in your ‘Notifications’ Section of the account homepage.
We advise all users to update their waste readings monthly and also before any NowPatient Service Consultations that you may book.
Can I use the BMI Risk Service if I have an eating disorder?
No. If you have an eating disorder, the BMI Risk Service should not be used. Please get further advice from your doctor or other healthcare professional.
What are the limitations of the NowPatient BMI Risk Service?
The BMI Risk calculation does not factor in muscle mass, which is denser than fat. As a result, muscular adults and athletes may be classified as overweight or obese despite having low body fat. Conversely, older adults who lose muscle may fall within the healthy weight range even if they have excess body fat.
Additionally, the BMI Risk calculations should not be used for pregnant individuals, as pregnancy-related weight changes can affect accuracy.
Do I need to pay for using the BMI Risk Service?
No. The BMI Risk Service is a free service available for registered users of NowPatient.