Doctors and scientists
generally agree that men with more than 25 percent
body fat and women with more than 30 percent body
fat are obese. However, it is difficult to measure
body fat precisely. There are multiple methods
of measuring obesity. The body mass index (BMI)
has become the medical standard used to measure
overweight and obesity.
BMI
- In recent years, the body mass index (BMI)
has become the medical standard used to measure
overweight and obesity.
- It is a height-weight system of measurement
that applies to both sexes.
- It's not a perfect system, because (e.g.)
very muscular people may fall into the "overweight"
category when they are actually healthy and
fit.
- But it is a useful pointer for most people.
BMI is found by dividing a person's
weight in kilograms by height in meters squared.
The Mathematical Formula
is:
BMI = Weight (kg)/Height
Squared (m2)
[Note: To determine your BMI
using pounds and inches, multiply your weight
in pounds by 704.5, then divide the result by
your height in inches, and divide that result
by your height in inches a second time.]
A BMI of 25 to 29.9 indicates
a person is overweight. A person with a BMI of
30 or higher is considered obese.
Obesity Chart If
you don't have time to calculate your BMI exactly,
here is a simple chart with approximate obesity
levels for people between 5 feet and 6 feet in
height.
Your Height |
When you are Obese
|
5 feet 0 inches |
At 153 pounds |
5 feet 1 inch |
At 159 pounds |
5 feet 2 inches |
At 164 pounds |
5 feet 3 inches |
At 169 pounds |
5 feet 4 inches |
At 175 pounds |
5 feet 5 inches |
At 180 pounds |
5 feet 6 inches |
At 186 pounds |
5 feet 7 inches |
At 191 pounds |
5 feet 8 inches |
At 197 pounds |
5 feet 9 inches |
At 203 pounds |
5 feet 10 inches |
At 209 pounds |
5 feet 11 inches |
At 215 pounds |
5 feet 12 inches |
At 221 pounds |
Body Fat Distribution:
"Pears" or "Apples"
How much fat you have is one thing. Where
the fat is LOCATED is a separate issue. If you
carry fat mainly around your waist, you are more
likely to develop obesity-related health problems.
Women with a waist measurement
of more than 35 inches, or men with a measurement
of more than 40 inches have a higher health risk
because of their fat distribution.
Other Methods of Measuring
Fat
Measuring the exact amount of a person's body
fat is not easy.
- The most accurate measures are to weigh
a person underwater or to use an X-ray test
called Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA).
These methods are not practical for the average
person, and are done only in research centers
with special equipment.
- Skinfold thickness' are measures of the
thickness of skin and subcutaneous (lying
under the skin) fat at targeted sites of a
person's body such as the triceps (the back
of the upper arm). Measurements of skinfold
thickness depend on the skill of the examiner,
and may vary widely when measured by different
examiners.
- Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)
involves sending a harmless amount of electricity
through a person's body which estimates total
body water. Generally, higher percent body
water indicates a larger amount of muscle
and lean tissue. BIA may not be accurate in
severely obese individuals, and is not useful
for tracking short-term changes in body fat
brought about by diet or exercise.
- Weight-for-height tables, usually have
a range of acceptable weights for a person
of a given height. One problem with these
tables is that there are many versions, all
with different weight ranges. Another problem
is that they do not distinguish between excess
fat and muscle. A very muscular person may
appear obese,
according to the tables, when he or she is
not.
Click here at Obesity
Statistics to know what causes obesity. |
