Overweight and Obesity
High food nutritional value is among one of the reasons for obesity in the U.S. This is accompanied by the fact that some people have absolutely no control over their diets. In addition to this, lack of exercise and lazy and unhealthy life styles affect individual health very severely.
As a result of this overeating and lack of exercise, the manner in which people try to lose their excess weight, can become grievously dangerous to human health and lead to unhealthy health and weight conditions.
In view of this, there are two particular conditions related to weight gain that are to be taken seriously. One is overweight while the other is obesity.
Difference Between Overweight and Obesity
Being overweight includes the total weight of fat, muscle, bone and water in an individual’s body that crosses the acceptable body weight limit.
On the other hand, an obese state is too much body fat which becomes apparent from the body structure. In view of this, a person may be well over weight but not necessarily obese.
For e.g. an athlete can be overweight with excess muscle but cannot be obese. To determine if an individual is suffering from obesity or overweight, an index has been developed that checks the body weight in contrast to other health factors. It is referred to as the Body Mass Index (BMI).
The BMI
The BMI helps to determine an individual’s overall weight with other factors. It is a handy tool for physicians and others concerned with measuring body mass. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.
The flaws in this index however include the fact that it does not take into consideration things such as body structure. These are important to determine the exact amount of body weight.
However, it is still considered to be an important index and used to assess body weight to determine obesity and overweight.
Formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703
Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703.
Example: Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5’5” (65")
Calculation: [150 ÷ (65)2] x 703 = 24.96
The weight status is given below. You can calculate your body mass and index and check where you stand.
Below 20 (Women below 19) = Considered Underweight
Falling between 20 and 24.99 = Considered Normal Weight
Falling between 25 and 29.99 = Considered Overweight
Falling between 30 and 34.99 = Considered to be in the Obese Class 1
Falling between 35 and 39.99 = Considered to be in the Obese Class 2
40 and higher = Considered to be Extreme (Morbid) Obesity
On the basis of the BMI, there is also a method of determining one’s risk of illness.
Body Mass Index (BMI) Disease Risk
For Those With a BMI of:
Less than 20.00 - Risk = Moderate to Very High
20.00 - 21.99 - Risk = Low
22.00 - 24.99 - Risk = Very Low
25.00 - 29.99 - Risk = Low
30.00 - 34.99 - Risk = Moderate
35.00 - 39.99 - Risk = High
More than 40.00 - Risk = Very High
It is clear by BMI calculator that obesity is worse than simply being overweight. Being overweight is one thing while obesity, is altogether another medical condition. This is because of the severe health risks that are attached to being obese. Being overweight may simply mean that one has to curtail his or her food consumption that can be managed easily. But obesity needs strict measure to control the condition or it may result in severe consequences.
Obesity is something that goes beyond one’s control, and one has to really struggle in order to get back to normal. |
