There are numerous incentives for ensuring you keep your BMI within the healthy range. Perhaps the most important of these is the fact that you will be at a much lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and certain cancers. Other conditions linked to obesity are joint problems, back pain and sleep deficiency.

Studies have also linked a high BMI with decreased fertility in women. In addition, many people who are overweight also suffer from problems such as depression and low self-esteem. In other words, keeping an eye on your weight and therefore on your BMI - will not only help you look better, you're also more likely to feel much better too.

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In simple terms, the way to ensure you maintain a healthy weight - without resorting to elaborate or faddy diets - is to burn more calories than you consume. This is ideally done through a combination of balanced diet and an active lifestyle, which are both best achieved, and more importantly, sustained by incorporating them into the routine of your everyday life.