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Weight Management - Heartbeat Trust

Weight Management

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a score of your weight in relation to your height. When calculated it groups you into one of the following:

Category BMI (kg/m2)
Underweight 16.0 to 18.4
Normal (healthy weight) 18.5 to 24.9
Overweight 25.0 to 29.9
Obese Class Over 30.0

Healthy Waist Measurement

Women
Less than 80cm

Men
or 32 inches

Waist Size: If you are overweight and the extra weight is stored around your middle and not evenly distributed over your body, studies have shown you are more at risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

The main goal in weight management is to take a long term approach and make heart healthy choices in food, exercise and alcohol. So in simple terms, if you reduce the number of calories you take in using a healthy, balanced diet and increase the number of calories you put out by developing and sticking to your physical activity plan you will notice gradual weight loss, feel happier and have more energy in a matter of weeks.

Aiming for BMI less than 25?

Tips on how to keep your weight down

1. Be conscious of what you eat and drink (reduce or avoid alcohol)

2. Exercise each day

3. Weigh yourself weekly and aim to lose a pound a week:

  • When you get up in the morning, go to toilet, stand on scales and take note of your weight
  • Repeat this one week later and if you have not lost 1 pound it shows that you are either eating and/or drinking too much and/or not doing enough exercise

Patient Testimonials

Some words from our patients:

“It is indeed so very reassuring to know that we have excellent doctors such as Prof McDonald and his team working on our behalf.’

“As a spouse of a stroke survivor, tonight talks made me more aware of the actions I need to take for my own health as well as that of my husbands.”

“I find the process reassuring and the people involved in STOPHF very kind and helpful”

“I feel secure in the knowledge that I am being monitored. Beneficial in having ongoing advice etc.”

“Because of the thoroughness of the annual checks I was kept aware of my medical condition”

“While on the research programme it was discovered I had too much hormone. Then I was sent to the Endocrinology team in SVUH for many tests. I was diagnosed to have a growth in my pituitary and acromegaly. I had surgery in Beaumont Hospital to remove the growth. I am so grateful to the Heartbeat Trust for finding this and sending me to have it researched and treated.

“Lovely people. Great work over many years which will clearly help our nation. Thank you for your information”