BMI What It Is and How It Impacts Your Medical Weight Loss Journey

Your BMI, or body mass index, is one of the most important numbers we look at when determining if our medical weight loss program is right for you.

Simply put, BMI is a tool which uses your height and weight to categorize if you are at a healthy weight or if you are carrying around unhealthy excess pounds. And true, it’s not perfect—it doesn’t account for muscle mass or bone density—but it’s a good starting point.

• A BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight
• A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal weight
• A BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight
• A BMI of 30 or above is considered obese

But BMI Isn’t the Whole Story

BMI doesn’t tell us everything. Like, where’s the fat sitting? If belly fat is riskier than hip fat, or differences between muscle vs. fat. A bodybuilder and a couch potato could have the same BMI but totally different health profiles. That’s why we never use BMI alone. 

So, why does your BMI matter for weight loss?

Well, having excess weight puts you at risk for lots of health issues like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, sleep apnea, and infertility - just to name some big ones. Additionally, losing as little as 5-10% of your body weight can have huge impacts on lowering those risks.

And that is where medical weight loss can come in. Our programs utilize prescription medications, hormone balancing, metabolic testing, nutrition planning, accountability and more to help people lose weight safely and effectively under close medical supervision. For many of our patients, getting their BMI back into a healthy range is life changing.

Some key highlights:

• Losing just 5-10% of body weight can lower disease risks and have big health impacts

• Medical weight loss utilizes custom plans, labwork, prescription meds and more all under supervision of a doctor

• Getting BMI back into healthy range can greatly reduce health risks for conditions like diabetes and heart disease

Other Non-scale victories we celebrate:

• Fitting into old jeans
• Walking up-stairs without getting winded
• Lower blood pressure readings
• Feeling more confident in your skin.

How BMI Guides Your Weight Loss Plan

Once we determine your BMI shows excess weight putting your health at risk, the next step is deciding if our medically-supervised weight loss program is the right fit for you.

Some key factors we look at:

• Your motivation and commitment to losing weight

• Any failed attempts to lose weight in the past

• Your overall health history

• Medications you currently take

• Any limitations on diet or mobility

We take all those things into account when customizing your personal plan for weight loss success. And we partner with you each step of the way to provide support, accountability, and expert medical advice.

A typical weight loss plan includes:

• Prescription medications to curb hunger, boost metabolism or block absorption of fat/carbs

• Lab testing to uncover potential metabolic or hormonal imbalances sabotaging weight loss

• Meal plans and nutrition guidance personalized to fit your tastes and lifestyle

• Regular body composition analyses to track progress losing fat while maintaining muscle mass

• Ongoing medical oversight and support

Ready to Start? Let’s Talk.

If you’re in the Atlanta area and tired of the weight loss rollercoaster, we’ve got your back. At PrimeHealthMD, we combine science with real-life practicality. No quick fixes. No judgment. Just a team that’s as invested in your success as you are.

Most major insurance plans cover our weight loss programs, so contact us today to learn more and get started!