BMI is a measure of your weight relative to your height. The higher your BMI, the greater is the risk for developing obesity and related diseases. Body Mass Index (BMI) calculates body fat according to the present body weight and height.

• Underweight
• Normal
• Overweight/Obese

Underweight

A BMI less than 18.5 is considered low for most people; a low BMI is indicative of being underweight and may cause health problems.

• Under-nutrition may lead to under-function of the pituitary, thyroid, gonads and adrenals. Other risk factors include loss of energy and susceptibility to injury and infection, as well as a distorted body image and other psychological problems.
  
  
• Meals are advised to be at scheduled hours instead of hastily planned and quickly eaten.
  
  
• Threptin diskettes or Threptin micromix (mixed with milk or water) can be taken twice/thrice a day between meals.
  
  
• In addition to the kilocalories needed to meet total energy requirements, an allowance of 500 to 1000 extra kilocalories per day should be planned.
  
  
• The intake should be increased gradually to these levels to avoid gastric discomfort, and more seriously, electrolyte imbalances and heart dysfunction.
  
  
• A basic vitamin and mineral supplement may be necessary depending on nutritional status revealed by the initial assessment.
  
  
• In addition to larger meals, snacks are usually necessary to adequately increase the energy intake.
  
  
• Often a liquid supplement taken with meals or between meals is effective because it is easy to prepare and consume. This is important when it is necessary to overcome a lack of interest in food and eating.

Normal

A BMI between 18.5 – 22.9 is considered normal, indicating a health for most people.

• Eat plenty of high-fiber foods—that is, fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains. Such foods also provide important vitamins and minerals.

• Make sure to include green, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants and other nutrients in these foods may help protect against developing certain types of cancer and other diseases. Eat five or more servings a day.

• Limit your intake of sugary foods, refined-grain products such as white bread and salty snack foods. Many sugary foods are also high in fat, so they're calorie-dense.

• Cut way down on trans fats, supplied by hydrogenated vegetable oils used in most processed foods and in many fast foods.

• Eat more fish and nuts, which contain healthy unsaturated fats. Substitute olive or canola oil for butter or stick margarine.

• Keep portions moderate, especially of high-calorie foods.

• Eat a variety of foods. Eating a wide assortment of foods helps to ensure that you will get all the necessary nutrients.

• Maintain an adequate calcium intake. Calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth.

• Maintain a desirable weight. Balance energy (calorie) intake with energy output. Exercise and other physical activity are essential.

• If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. That is one drink a day for women, two a day for men. A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits. Excess alcohol consumption leads to a variety of health problems. And alcoholic beverages can add many calories to your diet without supplying nutrients.

• Threptin diskettes or Threptin micromix (mixed with milk or water) can be taken twice/thrice a day between meals.

A BMI greater than 23.0 is considered high for most people; a high BMI is indicative of being overweight or obese and may increase the risk of developing health problems.

• A balanced energy-restricted diet is the most widely prescribed method of weight reduction.
  
  
• The diet should be nutritionally adequate except for energy, which is decreased to the point where fat stores must be mobilized to meet daily energy needs.
  
  
• The energy level varies with the individual's size and activities.
  
  
• Regardless of the level of calorie restriction, healthful eating should be taught and emphasized, and recommendations for increasing physical activity should be included.
  
  
• The low-calorie diet should be adequate in carbohydrates coming from plant sources such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
  
  
• The diet should also include generous protein, about 15% to 25% of kilocalories, to prevent conversion of dietary protein to energy.
  
  
• Each Threptin diskette gives 22 Kcal of energy, which helps in efficient utilization of protein.
  
  
• Threptin diskettes or Threptin micromix (mixed with milk or water) can be taken twice/thrice a day between meals.
  
  
• The inclusion of extra fibre is recommended to reduce caloric density, to promote satiety by delaying stomach-emptying time, and to decrease to a small degree the efficiency of intestinal absorption.
  
  
• Alcohol and foods high in sugar should be limited as they are unnecessary sources of energy.
  
  
• Vitamin and mineral supplements that meet age-related requirements are usually recommended with weight-reduction programs.
  
  
• Never skip your meals. Eat 3-6 smaller meals in a day to avoid getting hungry
  
  
• Drink 2-3 liters of water every day.
  
  
• Formula diets or meal replacement programs come in a variety of forms. The good ones contain high-quality protein with a moderate amount of sugars and fat.
  
  
• Quantities of the meal replacement equivalent to a single meal can also be used successfully as substitutes for a meal at times when it is difficult to obtain foods appropriate to a weight-reduction program.
  

• Plan your diet well. Include foods from all five food groups: milk, meat, fruit, vegetable and cereals
  
  
• Replace high calorie, fattening foods with healthy and low-calorie alternatives.
  
  Please note that the above mentioned dietary guidelines may be considered as a reference point only.
  
  In case of further diet consultation please contact your nearest Doctor or Dietician.