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Identification, Evaluation and Treatment of Overweight Adult Obesity

Overweight and obesity are terms for weight ranges that are above what is usually considered healthy for a certain height. More than a billion adults are overweight throughout the world, and more than 300 million of these people qualify as obese.

  1. Definition

    • Body mass index (BMI) is a calculation based on weight and height. An adult with a BMI from 25 to 29.9 is defined as medically overweight. An adult with a BMI of 30 or higher is defined as medically obese.

    Considerations

    • BMI measurements are not precise; they may overestimate body fat in people who have a muscular physique and may underestimate body fat in older people and people who have lost muscle mass.

    Waist Circumference

    • Waist circumference is another measurement that can indicate your risk of heart disease or other obesity-related conditions. A waist measurement of more than 40 inches in men or more than 35 inches in women indicates an increased risk.

    Risks

    • People who are overweight or obese are at a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

    Treatment

    • Even a small weight loss helps reduce the risk of obesity-related conditions. People can lose weight through a healthy diet, portion control and regular exercise.

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