Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Introduction
- Impact of BMI on Protection Cover
- What is a Healthy BMI?
- Impact of BMI on Health
- Potential Ratings
Introduction
About 2.5 million deaths per year are attributed to obesity worldwide.
There are approximately 350 million obese people with a BMI of 30 or over.
(Reference – www.who.int)
Impact of BMI on Protection Cover
For insurance assessment, BMI is just one of many factors considered. For your convenience we have included links to a choice
of 2 BMI calculators to enable your client to calculate their individual BMI:
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/interactiveTools/bmi.aspx.
http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/healthyweight/bmicalculator
The BMI can be used in conjunction with the potential ratings table to give an indicative rating.
The healthy weight range is based on a measurement known as BMI, which is a formula that relates to body weight and height.
What is a Healthy BMI?
These are the weight ranges set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) - www.who.int
- BMI less than 18.5: underweight
- BMI between 18.5 and 24.9:ideal weight for height
- BMI between 25 and 29.9: over the ideal weight for your height
- BMI between 30 and 39: obese
- BMI 40 or over: very obese
Impact of BMI on Health
Overweight and obesity are known to have a direct impact on health. The conditions below are some of the associated health risks:
- Type 2 (Adult Onset) Diabetes Mellitus
- Heart Disease; e.g. angina, heart attack, coronary artery disease
- Stroke
- Raised blood pressure
- Cancers – colon, kidney, endometrial and post menopausal breast cancer
Potential Ratings
This is a guide and is only relevant if the applicant has no other risk factors associated with a high BMI
| BMI | Potential Rating | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life | Critical Illness Cover (CIC) | Income Protection Benefit (IPB) / Mortgage Payment Insurance (MPI) | |||
| All Ages | |||||
| <19 | Individual Consideration (IC) | Individual Consideration | Individual Consideration | ||
| 19-31 | Ordinary Rates (OR) | Ordinary Rates | Ordinary Rates | ||
| Up to and including age 55 | Age 56 and over | Up to and including age 55 | Age 56 and over | All ages | |
| >31-35 | OR to light extra’s | OR | Light to moderate extra’s | OR to light extra’s | Light to moderate extra’s |
| >35-39 | Moderate to heavy extra’s | Light to moderate extra’s | Heavy to decline | Moderate to decline | Moderate to decline |
| >39 | Heavy extra’s to decline for higher BMI | Moderate to heavy extra’s to decline for higher BMI | Decline | Decline | Decline |
Please Note:
- The potential decisions for BMI are also dependant on the clients age
- In the table above the range of potential extra premiums are:
- Light – approx. 50% to 75%
- Moderate – approx 75% to 150%
- Heavy – approx 150% upwards
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