The Hill s Healthy Weight Protocol. Using the BFI Risk Chart

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1 The Hill s Healthy Weight Protocol Using the BFI Risk Chart Effective

2 Welcome! The Hill s BFI Risk Chart is a new way to assess patient body composition and communicate that assessment with clients. It also connects excess body fat with increased health risks and displays them in a very powerful graphical format that is designed to engage clients and compel them to take action Should you have any questions at any time, please do not hesitate to contact Hill s Veterinary Consulting Services at VETS (8387).

3 Development of BFI Risk Chart The BFI Risk Charts were developed in partnership with the University of Tennessee School of Veterinary Medicine with a goal to provide veterinarians with better tools to diagnose the severity of obesity and set a correct ideal weight to increase weight loss efficacy. Accurate assessment of body composition is vital for effective obesity treatment both to establish the need for weight loss and to correctly identify ideal body weight which is used to determine the correct food dose to produce weight loss.

4 Development of BFI Risk Chart Currently the most practical and effective method of assessing body composition in clinical practice is Body Condition Scoring (BCS) which suffers three major limitations: 1. Precision and accuracy are highly dependent on the training and skill of the individual doing the assessment. 2. The current body condition scoring scales (both Hill s and Purina s) do not differentiate between levels of obesity. For example, using the Hill s (5 point scale) all pets >35% body fat fall into a single score of 5. The result is a pet with 60% body fat and one with 36% body fat both receive the same score. This leads to over-estimation of ideal body weight and feeding amounts for the fatter animal resulting in slow or ineffective weight loss. 3. There is no direct connection between the BCS score and the pet s ideal weight.

5 Development of BFI Risk Chart Objective: The limitations of the current BCS led to the creation of the BFI Risk Chart idea with the intent on addressing these limitations and creating a more effective tool. Approach: Studies (one using dogs and one using cats) were conducted at the University of Tennessee. The BFI Risk Chart was developed using the results of the initial studies and then validated in a second study using an independent population of animals. Result: From these studies new descriptors were developed to better assess higher body fat pets (>35% body fat). Study animals were photographed as reference for improved illustrations.

6 What makes the BFI Risk Chart Different? Significantly more effective in diagnosing body composition in canine and feline patients. Addresses all levels of pet obesity up to 65% body fat. Incorporates new descriptors and updated imagery. Allows for quick and easy determination of pet s ideal weight. Directly links excess body fat (BFI) to the increased health risks. Presents the information in a compelling, colorful, client friendly format.

7 The Hill s BFI Risk Chart Canine

8 The Hill s BFI Risk Chart - Feline

9 Using the Hill s BFI Risk Chart Using the descriptors and images as a guide, evaluate the pet to determine their BFI Share that diagnosis with the client using the chart and reference the pet s risk level Flip the chart over to determine the pet s ideal weight

10 Determining a Pet s Ideal Weight is as Easy as Weigh the pet 2. Determine pet s BFI using the images & descriptors 3. Establish ideal weight using this chart (found on the reverse side). Example: A dog that currently weighs 55 lbs. and has a BFI of 50 has an ideal weight of 34.4 lbs.

11 The BFI Risk Chart is significantly more effective than current tools Estimation of Body Composition + / - 10 % + / - 20 % Canine Feline 91.5% 91.3% 44.6% 53.2% 38.5% 56.7% 15.7% 12.8% Current BCS BFI Risk Chart Current BCS BFI Risk Chart

12 Questions? Should you have any questions at any time, please do not hesitate to contact Hill s Veterinary Consulting Services at VETS (8387).