Overweight
Overweight - body mass index; Obesity - body mass index; BMIOverweight and obesity mean having a weight than is higher than what is healthy for a given height. A person may be overweight from extra muscle, bone, or water, as well as too much fat. But both terms mean that someone's weight is higher than what is thought to be healthy for their height.
More than 1 out of every 3 adults in the United States is overweight.
Considerations
Experts often rely on a formula called body mass index (BMI) to determine if a person is overweight. BMI is used to estimate your level of body fat based on your height and weight measured in kilograms and meters.
Body mass index
A good way to decide if your weight is healthy for your height is to figure out your body mass index (BMI). You and your health care provider can us...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article- A BMI from 18.5 to 24.9 falls within a healthy weight range.
- A BMI of 25 to 29.9 falls within the overweight range. Since BMI only estimates how your weight compares to what is healthy, it is not accurate for all people. Some people in this group, such as athletes, may have a lot of muscle weight, and therefore not as much fat. These people will not have an increased risk of health problems due to their weight.
- A BMI of 30 or higher falls within the obesity range.
- Class 1: BMI of 30 to less than 35.
- Class 2: BMI of 35 to less than 40.
- Class 3: BMI of 40 or higher. Class 3 is considered "severe obesity."
The risk for many medical problems is higher for adults who have excess body fat and fall into the overweight groups.
CHANGING YOUR LIFESTYLE
An active lifestyle and plenty of exercise, along with healthy eating, is the safest way to lose weight. Even modest weight loss can improve your health. Get support from family and friends.
Healthy eating
The foods and drinks you choose are important to maintaining a healthy weight. This article offers advice on making good food choices to manage your...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleYour main goal should be to learn new, healthy ways of eating and make them part of your daily routine.
Many people find it hard to change their eating habits and behaviors. You may have practiced some habits for so long that you may not even know they are unhealthy, or you do them without thinking. You need to be motivated to make lifestyle changes. Make the behavior change part of your life over the long term. Know that it takes time to make and keep a change in your lifestyle.
Work with your health care provider and dietitian to set realistic and safe daily calorie counts that help you lose weight. Keep in mind that if you drop your weight slowly and steadily, you are more likely to keep it off. Your dietitian can teach you about:
- Shopping for healthy foods
Shopping for healthy foods
A key step for losing weight, keeping the weight off, and staying healthy is learning how to buy the right foods at the store. This will ensure you ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - How to read nutrition labels
How to read nutrition labels
Food labels give you information about the calories, number of servings, and nutrient content of packaged foods. Reading the labels can help you mak...
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Healthy snacks
For almost anyone trying to watch their weight, choosing healthy snacks can be a challenge. Even though snacking has developed a "bad image," snacks ...
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Portion sizes
It can be hard to measure out every portion of food you eat. Yet there are some simple ways to know that you are eating the right serving sizes. Fo...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Sweetened drinks
Sweetened drinks
Many sweetened drinks are high in calories and can cause weight gain, even in active people. If you feel like drinking something sweet, try to choos...
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References
Després JP, Larose E, Poirier P. Obesity: medical and surgical management. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine.12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 30.
Jensen MD. Obesity. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 207.
Maratos-Flier E. Obesity. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 40.
Semlitsch T, Stigler FL, Jeitler K, Horvath K, Siebenhofer A. Management of overweight and obesity in primary care - a systematic overview of international evidence-based guidelines. Obes Rev. 2019;20(9):1218-1230. PMID: 31286668 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31286668/.
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Different types of weight gain - illustration
Weight gain in the area of and above the waist (apple type) is more dangerous than weight gained around the hips and flank area (pear type). Fat cells in the upper body have different qualities than those found in hips and thighs.
Different types of weight gain
illustration
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Lipocytes (fat cells) - illustration
When energy input is equal to energy output, there is no expansion of fat cells (lipocytes) to accommodate excess. It is only when more calories are taken in than used that the extra fat is stored in the lipocytes and the person begins to accumulate fat.
Lipocytes (fat cells)
illustration
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Obesity and health - illustration
Obesity increases a person's risk of illness and death due to diabetes, stroke, heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, and kidney and gallbladder disease. Obesity may increase the risk for some types of cancer. It is also a risk factor for the development of osteoarthritis and sleep apnea.
Obesity and health
illustration
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Different types of weight gain - illustration
Weight gain in the area of and above the waist (apple type) is more dangerous than weight gained around the hips and flank area (pear type). Fat cells in the upper body have different qualities than those found in hips and thighs.
Different types of weight gain
illustration
-
Lipocytes (fat cells) - illustration
When energy input is equal to energy output, there is no expansion of fat cells (lipocytes) to accommodate excess. It is only when more calories are taken in than used that the extra fat is stored in the lipocytes and the person begins to accumulate fat.
Lipocytes (fat cells)
illustration
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Obesity and health - illustration
Obesity increases a person's risk of illness and death due to diabetes, stroke, heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, and kidney and gallbladder disease. Obesity may increase the risk for some types of cancer. It is also a risk factor for the development of osteoarthritis and sleep apnea.
Obesity and health
illustration
Review Date: 7/25/2022
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.