Body Mass Index (BMI), is a number calculated by taking a person’s weight in kilograms against their height in square meters (kg/m2). It is an inexpensive and easy to perform method of screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

Body Mass Index (BMI), is a number calculated by taking a person’s weight in kilograms against their height in square meters (kg/m2). It is an inexpensive and easy to perform method of screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

BMI is interpreted following standard weight status categories that are the same for all ages and for both men and women as in the illustration below,

BMI                  Weight status

Below 18.5        Underweight

18.5-24.9           Healthy weight

25.0-29.9           Over weight

30.0 and above   Obese

The BMI ranges show the relationship between body weight, disease and death. Over weight and obese individuals are at increased risk of many diseases and health conditions including; hypertension, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gall bladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and respiratory problems, some cancers like endometrial, colon and breast cancers.

The recently concluded Department of Food Science and Technology’s 20th anniversary saw the President visit students’ exhibitions where one group explained to him what BMI is and how it is used to assess body fat and risk of disease. When asked if they could take his measurements, he instead smiled and told them what his height and weight measurements were and asked where he could find the group, upon which one member offered their business card. The President continued to listen to explanations about healthy eating and the foods available on our local market before moving on to the next stall.

It therefore came as a pleasant surprise when on Sunday 3rd October 2009, one of the students received a call from the President, asking if he could use their consultation services at 5.00pm that day, an appointment the students were only to happy to fix.

At 5:00pm on the dot, the students were at the State House Entebbe gate, ensuring punctuality for this all too important appointment. They waited in the lounge and later met the President in his gym, where the consultation went on. The President freely interacted with the students, which encouraged them to talk with ease about the various food groups and physical activity. After the consultation, the President extended an invitation to the students to join in as he did his routine exercise, an invitation they had to forfeit as they hadn’t anticipated to join the president as he worked out.

Then the big question, “Where do you see you business in the next few years?” the President asked. The students proceed to give him their plans whereupon he advised them on expanding their business to become more accessible to more Ugandans.
What came out clearly during their discussions was the President’s commitment to support all the students who had exhibited their products during 20th anniversary of the Department Food Science and Technology.

It was quite an experience for this team of students, where the President advised them about doing business i.e. he became their business advisor and they his nutrition advisors. The students under their company Nutrisat Uganda were glad to include His Excellency among their valued clients, as he actually paid them handsomely for their consultation services.

More information

• The Nutrisat website is under construction and it will be launched by the end of this year.
• Nutrisat Uganda Ltd has done work with Barclays bank branches in Kampala and crowned it with the successful health awareness week in July 2008 at Barclays bank Kampala Road.
• Nutrisat Uganda Ltd hopes to extend its services to other corporate organizations in its corporate wellness programs as part of promoting good health through adequate nutrition and physical activity.
• Nutrisat Uganda Ltd has a vision of fighting disease through embracing health. The team at Nutrisat Uganda Ltd believes that every one in the population can make healthy and informed choices in nutrition.

Team Contacts
Nutrisat Uganda Ltd
Kitante, Kampala
Tel: +256-313-112763
Mob: +256-772-488330
Email: nutrisatuganda@yahoo.com or muniem2002@yahoo.com.
The Nutrisat Uganda Ltd. team consists of two nutritionists and one administrator.