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How Are Overweight and Obesity Diagnosed?

Obesity is increasing at such an alarming rate that it can truly be considered a worldwide epidemic, affecting all age groups and especially children.

 

Obesity has become an epidemic in the World. As many as one-third of all people are obese based on the BMI criteria. In addition to body image issues, obesity causes significant health issues. It is the second leading cause of preventable death (after smoking), and is associated with type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, arthritis, gallstones, and certain types of cancer.

 

The most common way to find out whether you’re overweight or obese is to figure out your body mass index. BMI is an estimate of body fat and a good gauge of your risk for diseases that occur with more body fat. The higher your BMI, the higher your risk of disease. BMI is calculated from your height and weight.

 

 

Body Mass Index for Adults

Height	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31
4'10"	100	105	110	115	119	124	129	134	138	143	148
5'0"	107	112	118	123	128	133	138	143	148	153	158
5'1"	111	116	122	127	132	137	143	148	153	158	164
5'3"	118	124	130	135	141	146	152	158	163	169	175
5'5"	126	132	138	144	150	156	162	168	174	180	186
5'7"	134	140	146	153	159	166	172	178	185	191	198
5'9"	142	149	155	162	169	176	182	189	196	203	209
5'11"	150	157	165	172	179	186	193	200	208	215	222
6'1"	159	166	174	182	189	197	204	212	219	227	235
6'3"	168	176	184	192	200	208	216	224	232	240	248

* Weight is measured with underwear but no shoes.

 

Use this table to learn your BMI. First, find your height on the far left column. Next, move across the row to find your weight. Once you’ve found your weight, move to the very top of that column. This number is your BMI.

 

What Does Body Mass Index Mean?

BMI
18.5–24.9	Normal weight
25.0–29.9	Overweight
30.0–39.9	Obese
40.0 and above	Extreme obesity

 

Although BMI can be used for most men and women, it does have some limits:

 

• • It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build.

 

• • It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle.

Body Mass Index for Children and Teens

Overweight is defined differently for children and teens than it is for adults. Because children are still growing and boys and girls mature at different rates, BMIs for children and teens compare their heights and weights against growth charts that take age and sex into account. This is called BMI-for-age percentile. A child or teen’s BMI-for-age percentile shows how his or her BMI compares with other boys and girls of the same age.

 

 

What Does the BMI-for-Age Percentile Mean?

BMI-for-Age Percentile
Less than 5th percentile	Underweight
5th percentile to less than the 85th percentile	Healthy weight
85th percentile to less than the 95th percentile	Risk of overweight
95th percentile or greater	Overweight

 

Waist Circumference

Health care professionals also may take your waist measurement. This helps to screen for the possible health risks that come with overweight and obesity in adults. If you have abdominal obesity and most of your fat is around your waist rather than at your hips, you’re at higher risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. This risk goes up with a waist size that is greater than 35 inches for women or greater than 40 inches for men.

 

You too may want to measure your waist size. To do so correctly, stand and place a tape measure around your middle, just above your hipbones. Measure your waist just after you breathe out.

 

Specialists Involved

A primary care doctor will assess your BMI, waist measurement, and overall health risk. If you’re overweight or obese, or have a large waist size, your doctor should explain the health risks and find out whether you’re interested and willing to lose weight. If you are, you and your doctor should work together to create a treatment plan. The plan should include weight loss goals and treatment options that are realistic for you.

 

Your doctor may send you to other health care specialists if you need expert care. These specialists may include: