Overweight and Obesity

What are the definitions of Overweight and Obesity? 

Overweight and Obesity are complex multi-factoral chronic health problems that involve social, cultural, physiological, genetic, metabolic, psychological and behavioral components.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines overweight and obesity as “labels for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. The terms also identify ranges of weight that have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems.”

The ranges of weight for overweight and obesity are defined in terms of Body Mass Index (BMI) which is a calculation of the percent of body fat based on weight and height.

• Overweight is defined as a condition in which the BMI is between 25% and 29.9%.
• Obesity is defined as a condition in which the body mass index is 30% or greater. 
• Body mass index is determined by the following formula: 

Weight (lbs)       x  704.5  =  % BMI

Height (inches)

To calculate your BMI, visit the CDC BMI calculator:

Also see BMI tables for adults and BMI Tables for Children and Teens

Although overall BMI is important, it is also believed that the distribution of fat is equally important.  In particular, excess abdominal fat has been associated with chronic illnesses associated with obesity even when BMI is low.

Other measures associated with overweight and obesity include:

• Waist circumference – because abnormal fat is a predictor of obesity-related health problems;
• Waste-to-hip ratios
• Other risk factors that are related to obesity-related health problems, such as heart disease, and physical inactivity (link to Web Page 20c Consequences of Overweight and Obesity)

Overweight and obesity in children and teens is different than for adults and is calculated differently.  See Childhood Overweight and Obesity

Links to Healthy People 2010 objectives related to overweight and obesity:

• Nutrition and Overweight
• Physical Activity and Fitness
• Diabetes
• See also other Healthy People 2010 information in this site

actforhealth@yahoo.com

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Page last updated: 09/30/2006

ACT for Health, Adolescent and Child Targets for Health Foundation, Inc., is an educational and charitable non-profit, non-governmental organization, tax-exempt under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.