frequently asked questions

Obesity can be defined as an excess accumulation of body fat sufficient to endanger health. It is a disease (not a personal weakness) that requires long-term treatment and management to achieve and sustain weight loss. Experts agree that the primary cause of obesity is the excessive intake of calories, generally as fat. Obesity results from too many calories being consumed, with insufficient or decreased physical activity. The correlation between energy intake, expenditure, and resulting body fat distribution varies by individual. In general, it’s easiest for the body to store excess calories in the form of fat. It’s harder for the body to convert excess carbohydrates or protein into fat.

Obesity is associated with an increase in serious health risks including the following:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Certain forms of cancer
• Osteoarthritis

If you have a question about obesity or your personal health, check with your doctor.

The most widely accepted measurement of obesity is known as the body mass index (BMI). BMI is calculated by the weight (kg) divided by the height (in meters) squared.

The BMI is graded as follows to indicate the degree of risk to health.

• BMI < 18.5 (underweight)
• BMI 18.5-24.9 (desirable weight)
• BMI 25-29.9 (overweight)
• BMI 30-40 (obese)
• BMI >40 (severely obese)

Other methods of measuring obesity include:

• waist circumference — measuring the distribution of abdominal fat, which is well correlated with the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
• height-weight ratio — using an appropriate measurement of frame size — small, medium, large — height/weight tables can be used to estimate ideal weight.
• measuring percent of body fat — using skin fold test and/or the body impedance method.

Body mass index (BMI) is a formula, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. Your BMI score is used to indicate if your weight is healthy for someone at your height. Find out your BMI now by using our calculation chart.

No. You should not take alli if your BMI is less than 25. alli is used for weight loss in adults who are overweight with a BMI of 25 or above. Use the BMI calculation tool on the alli website now to find out your BMI and see if it’s in the right category for you to use alli. (You need to know your weight and height.)

Alternatively, you can ask your pharmacist to work out your BMI, or use the chart below to see if alli can help you lose weight and improve your health. Find your height on the chart and if you weigh less than the weight shown for your height, do not take alli.

If you are overweight, yes. Obesity experts agree and widely available research demonstrates that moderate weight loss is beneficial. Achievable, realistic weight loss of 5% can result in significant improvements in overall health, including decreased risk for heart disease. Slow, steady weight loss is the healthy way to reduce body fat. alli and the alli program help you lose weight gradually and show you how to sustain your goals over the long term, if you’re prepared to make positive lifestyle changes.

alli is designed to help you to lose weight. It should not be taken for more than six months. If you have lost some weight by taking alli but are not losing any more, you may need to re-set your calorie and fat targets, taking into account your current weight and activity level. If you are satisfied with the weight loss you have achieved, continue to follow a reduced calorie, lower-fat diet and keep up your activity levels. People who lose weight and maintain the loss make lifestyle changes, which include changes to what they eat and how active they are.

Please look at the my tools section for useful interactive tools, lower-fat recipes, physical activity tips and other essential information to help you achieve your weight loss goals.