OBESITY PROBLEMS & LIFE INSURANCE ~ UNDERWRITING ISSUES  Overweight or Obesity Problems & Life Insurance   If you have a health history of being overweight or Obese, a broker may still be able to help you obtain life or critical illness insurance - although maybe not onto standard terms. There are some critical factors involved that will determine your ability to obtain coverage & your information is always treated with the utmost privacy by the insurer or broker.   Life Insurance - What is an Obesity ? You may gain weight and become obese if you take in more energy (calories) than you use up. You're more likely to be overweight or obese if you have a family history, if you don't do any physical activity, eat unhealithly or if you're stopping/have recently stopped smoking. In less than one in 100 people there is a medical reason for obesity (such as a thyroid problem). The UK population is getting fatter - the number of obese people has tripled since 1980. Currently around 2/3 of women and 3/4 of men in the UK are either overweight or obese. Obesity Complications & Life Assurance   Being over weight increases your risk of developing health problems such as heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and some types of cancer. Excess weight also makes arthritis more likely and can make breathing and sleeping difficult. If you're an overweight woman, you're more likely to have difficulty getting pregnant and are at more risk of having problems during your pregnancy. If you're an overweight man, you're at an increased risk of impotence and infertility (poor sperm quality). The more overweight you are, the more likely you are to have health problems. So Obesity associated Problems may include increased risk of depression, cancer, diabetes & stress Obesity & BMI A measurement called body mass index (BMI) is usually used to work out if someone is underweight, a healthy weight, or overweight. BMI takes into account your weight and height and is, in general, a good indicator of how much body fat you have. This is a key factor as to whether or not your weight is likely to affect your health.  The BMI categorisation below is generic male/female BMI less than 18.5 - you're classed as underweight BMI in the range 18.5 to 24.9 - you're classed as being a healthy weight BMI in the range 25 to 29.9 - you're classed as overweight BMI in the range 30 to 39.9 - you're classed as obese BMI over 40 - you're classed as morbidly obese (morbidly obese means that the amount you're overweight is particularly harmful to your health)  Obesity Diseases & Life Insurance Underwriting  In order to check the severity and impact of your Obesity problem, Insurers are likely to ask for a GP Report or request a Medical. Note non-disclosure of your actual true weight, may make any plan claim void & the insurer is not obliged on death for the life insurance payout or to refund any premiums paid if this was deliberately not disclosed.  What do Uk Life Insurance Companies look for - when Underwriting a History of Obesity or Weight Related Problems ? It would depend on the severity of your Obesity problem. For Life and Critical lllness Cover most insurers would view each case on an individual basis before making a decision. However the likely decision for cover maybe from normal rates, if only slighty overweight to if not, then medical premium ratings may well apply. Note that decisions may vary quite dramatically between insurers so please contact us for help & advice. History - What happened in the past? How severe is the Obesity problem now & how does this affect you day to day? Medical Records - What do your medical records say about you?  Have you developed medical problems as a result of your Obesity problem ?  If you have, many companies may probably rate your premiums.   Treatment - Have you had any Obesity treatments eg; Had a gastric band fitted, Gone on GP controlled diets. What is your prognosis ?   Family History - Do you parents or brothers or sisters have a history of Obesity also? For help with Obesity issues why not visit  www.nature.com or www.obesity.org * ( * Note: You are now leaving the regulated site of Uk Life Insurance Quotes. Neither ourselves, nor Sesame Ltd, is responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within the linked site.)  Have Obesity problems & looking in 2012 to compare Life Insurance products against other Uk Insurers - including Life cover, decreasing (mortgage protection) or level term life insurance, Life with Critical Illness and Income Protection.  > Need a Competitive Life or Critical Illness Insurance Quote ? FOR PROTECTION PRODUCTS WE USUALLY OFFER FROM A LIMITED PANEL OF PROVIDERS For products with an investment element we will introduce you to an authorised adviser