Long Read

How does obesity impact our health? 

How does obesity impact our health?

Understanding the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and the impacts obesity can have on our health is key. We want to help educate and spread the word on obesity. This article outlines what obesity is, what to look for and our top tips to help you lead a healthier lifestyle and succeed on your exante journey.  

What is obesity? 

The term ‘obese’ is the medical term given to describe a person is very overweight and carries a lot of excess fat. Did you know that in the UK around 1 in 4 adults are classed as obese, and 1 in 3 are classed as overweight? [1]. 

Research now suggests that lockdown periods may have had large and negative impacts on weight-related behaviours and BMI [2]. 

How do I know if I’m classed as obese? 

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a common way of measuring obesity. Instead of having to faff around with the complicated calculations, there’s an easy-to-use BMI calculator here. 

So, let’s take a look at what our BMI range means [3]: 

Below 18.5 = Underweight range 

18.5 – 24.9 = Healthy range 

25 – 29.9 = Overweight range 

30 – 39.9 = Obese range 

BMI calculator

Though BMI is a good tool to check if we’re a healthy weight, it doesn’t take into account weight from muscle mass or excess fat. 

Measuring our waist is a great way to determine whether our weight is coming from excess body fat. It’s generally recommended that a desirable waist size for men = less than 94cm, and for women = less than 80cm [1]. 

Why does my shape matter? 

Having a lot of excess fat, especially around the waist and middle, where our vital organs are, can greatly increase our risks of developing long-term health problems [4]. 

Health complications associated with obesity are: 

  • Type 2 Diabetes 
  • Heart disease 
  • Stroke  
  • Some cancers  

The exciting news is that two high quality studies, DROPLET [5and DiRECT, conclude that total meal replacements can reduce the risk of developing some of these diseases and even put Type 2 Diabetes into remission [7].  

Can the exante diet help? 

Research shows that total diet replacement programmeslike the exante 800 Plan can be a fast, effective and safe way to lose weight [6].  

Each exante product is high in protein and full of fibre. Not only that, our products also contain 27 vitamins and minerals to help provide your body with all the essential nutrients to stay healthy along your journey. 

Tips to help you on your exante journey 

  • Stock for success – Remove the temptations. The less unhealthy snacks you have hidden away in your kitchen, the less likely you are of reaching for them. Need tasty, health alternatives? We’ve got your back 
  • Is it hunger or craving? – Are you dreaming of something sweet or salty? Is your desire for something very specific? If this is the case, it is likely a craving. Wait 15 minutes, distract yourself – better yet, why not quench your cravings with one of our exante water enhancers? 
  • Plan, plan, plan! – Planning your meals and snacks ahead is a great method for keeping you on track with your diet, preventing you from making hasty. We know that setting the time aside to plan your meals can be easier said than done. The good news is that exante offers an easy-to-follow, convenient weight loss solution. All you need to do it pick your favourite shakes and snacks, then follow one of our diet plans.  
  • Make yourself SMART goals – Detailed and achievable goals get help you stay focused on your weight loss journey. It can also be a powerful reminder of your reasons for losing weight.  
  • Join our community – We have a private Facebook group with thousands of members, all doing the exante journey and sharing their tips and challenges along the way 

If you suffer from obesity and have any questions about getting started, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via our Instagram or Facebook. We’re here to help you, whenever you may need.  



Katie Jerome

Katie Jerome

Writer and expert

Katie graduated from the University of Manchester in 2018 with a BSc in Marketing. Since leaving university, Katie enjoys discovering new recipes and making healthy food at home. As a follower of the exante 5:2 plan, Katie, who works in the Social & Content team knows first-hand the importance of a balanced lifestyle to reach an end goal.