An Advanced BMI Assessment That Screens for Weight-Related Health Risks
Most BMI calculators stop at height and weight. NowPatient’s Advanced BMI Assessment goes further and combines BMI with age, sex, waist size, and ethnicity to deliver a personalized health risk score that actually means something.
Track your metrics over time, get alerted when your risk level changes, and if action is needed, automatically qualify for support through NowPatient’s Weight Loss Programs Service.
Smooth, simple, seamless
Your Guide to Using the BMI Risk App Feature
- Step 1.
Open BMI Risk Service Card, select ‘Unlock’ icon
1 - Step 2.
Complete your health profile
2 - Step 3.
BMI Risk Service Card will now activate
3 - Step 4.
Receive health risk alerts via In-App & Push notifications
4 - Step 5.
Receive Waist risk alerts via In-App & Push notifications
5
SERVICE GUIDE
How BMI Risk Works
What Is the BMI Risk Service?
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.
Unlike traditional BMI calculators that only use height and 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 are from a black and ethnic minority group, you are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes with a BMI of 23 or more.
The BMI Risk Service is classified as a Class I medical device under UK MDR 2002 regulations for its intended use. It is free for all registered NowPatient users.
How to Access Your BMI Risk Score
Navigate to the ‘Personalised Insights’ section of your account homepage to find the BMI Risk Service Card.
If you completed your Health Profile when you first created your NowPatient account, your score will be automatically calculated and displayed within the Service Card.
If the Health Profile was not completed, the card will appear locked. Select the ‘Unlock’ button and complete the questions in your health profile. Once finished, you will be redirected to the account homepage where your score will be displayed on the BMI Risk Service Card.
What Information Is Used to Calculate Your BMI Risk Score?
The BMI Risk Service uses the following special category data from your Health Profile:
- Age
- Height
- Weight
- Ethnicity
- Waist size
How Will I Be Notified About My BMI Risk?
The BMI Risk Service identifies and classifies health risks. NowPatient’s AI algorithms trigger warnings based on your BMI Risk Score. You will receive two types of personalised alerts, one based on your BMI score and one based on your waist readings.
If the algorithm identifies a risk, you will receive a push notification with clinical advice on what to do next, sent directly to your device, as well as an In-App notification viewable in the ‘Notifications’ section of your account homepage.
You can also view the warning advisory at any time by selecting the ‘View Warning’ button on the BMI Risk Service Card.
What Do the BMI Risk Scores Mean?
The table below explains each BMI category and the recommended actions.
| BMI 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 required. |
| 25 – 29.9 | Overweight | You are classed as high risk. Making changes to diet and exercising or increasing 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 increasing 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. You may also qualify for NowPatient weight loss programs, which is a private treatment plan service. |
Why Does Waist Size Matter?
Although waist size is not used directly in the NowPatient BMI Risk calculation, it is an important additional health indicator. 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 above the following thresholds, 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. NowPatient recommends that you try to lose weight:
- >94cm (37ins) for men
- >80cm (31.5ins) for women
If your waist size exceeds the following thresholds, 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. You have a very high risk of developing long-term health conditions. You should make an appointment with your GP:
- >102cm (40ins) for men
- >88cm (34ins) for women
How Do I Measure My Waist Size?
To measure your waist size, follow these 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
How Often Will I Receive Waist Risk Alerts?
NowPatient’s AI algorithms trigger warnings based on your waist readings. If the algorithm identifies a risk, you will receive a push notification with clinical advice on what to do next, sent directly to your device, as well as an In-App notification viewable in the ‘Notifications’ section of your account homepage.
NowPatient advises all users to update waist readings monthly and also before any NowPatient Service Consultations booked.
What Should I Do If My Score Puts Me at Risk?
If the BMI Risk Service classifies you as being ‘at risk’ of developing long-term health conditions, you can raise this with your doctor at your next appointment.
NowPatient may also automatically qualify you for risk-reducing strategies such as the Weight Loss Programs Service. You will be notified if you are eligible.
How Do I Update My BMI Risk Score?
Update your Health Profile monthly and before any NowPatient Service Consultations you may book. Updated information may affect your BMI Risk Score, which will be reflected as an updated score on the Service Card. This allows you to track the benefits of any lifestyle or medication interventions over time.
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 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.