Defining overweight and obesity

    Description

    Obesity means having too much body fat. It is not the same as overweight, which means weighing too much. 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.

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    Body mass index

    Your body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (your waist measurement in inches) are the two most common ways to measure health risks related to your weight.

    BMI is measured using height and weight. You and your health care provider can use your BMI to judge how much body fat you have.

    Calculate your BMI

    To understand how your BMI relates to your weight, use these ranges (people 20 years and older only):

    BMI

    Weight Status

    Below 18.5

    Underweight

    18.5 to 24.9

    Normal

    25.0 to 29.9

    Overweight

    30.0 and above

    Obese

    The medical field divides obesity into 3 groups, or classes. Depending on your BMI, you may have:

    • Class 1 (low-risk) obesity, if your BMI is 30 to 34.9
    • Class 2 (moderate-risk) obesity, if your BMI is 35 to 39.9
    • Class 3 (high-risk) obesity, if your BMI is equal to or greater than 40

    A BMI of 40 or more usually means men are at least 100 pounds over their ideal weight and women are at least 80 pounds over their ideal weight.

    The higher your BMI, the higher your risk for certain diseases:

    • Heart disease
    • Stroke
    • High blood pressure
    • Type 2 diabetes
    • Sleep apnea (stopping breathing while you are asleep)
    • Arthritis

    If you have more or less muscle than is normal, your BMI may not be a perfect measure of your body fat. This means that your BMI may not be as accurate in judging your risk of obesity-related disease:

    • If you are muscular, you likely have less fat and more muscle than your BMI indicates.
    • If you have less muscle, you likely have more fat and less muscle than your BMI indicates.

    Asians have a higher risk for disease when they carry extra weight. So many experts use different BMI values for Asians. Because this may vary depending on what country you are from, it's best to talk with your doctor about your risk factors.

    Waist circumference measurement

    Your waist measurement is another way to estimate how much body fat you have. Extra weight around your middle increases your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

    People with "apple-shaped" bodies (meaning their waist is bigger than their hips) also have an increased risk for these conditions.

    To measure your waist circumference:

    1. Take off clothing from your waist area.
    2. Stand up straight and wrap a measuring tape around your trunk, just above your hipbones.
    3. Take the measurement with your stomach relaxed as you breathe out.

    The risk of disease increases when a man's waist circumference is more than 40 inches and when a woman's waist circumference is more than 35 inches. Men and postmenopausal women are more likely to gain weight in their waist area.

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    Review Date: 1/30/2018

    Reviewed By: John E. Meilahn, MD, Bariatric Surgery, Chestnut Hill Surgical Associates, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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