Underweight, Normal, Overweight or Obese? Where Do You Fall?

Introduction

Am I Average Weight, Overweight or Obese?

Obesity is a condition characterized by the build up of excessive body fat. Obesity is defined differently depending on the country, but in Western countries, such as the U.S. and many European countries, obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m^2.

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Weight that is higher than what is considered as a healthy weight for a given height is described as overweight or obese. Body Mass Index, or BMI, is used as a screening tool for overweight or obesity. Generally, you are not considered obese until your body weight is at least 20% above what it should be.

The most common way to determine whether or not you are of average healthy weight is by calculating your body mass index, or BMI. If your BMI is between 18 - 25 you are a normal weight. If your BMI ranges between 25 - 30 you are overweight. If your BMI is over 30 you are considered obese. Our chart below shows the data already calculated for you. Or, if you prefer, we have an Adult BMI Calculator and Chart, as well as a BMI Calculator for Children.

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A Word Regarding the Accuracy of BMI

Body mass index (BMI) is the most widely used measure to diagnose obesity. However, the diagnostic accuracy of BMI to detect excess in body adiposity (obesity) is largely unknown. The main issue for using BMI is that regardless of gender and age, the same criteria is used to determine whether one is normal, overweight or obese. However, BMI should be used carefully when determining whether one is obese or not, especially when classifying different categories of people.

BMI does not really accurately tell how much fat a person really has; this is due to the nature that it cannot really differentiate between body fat and muscle mass. This is especially true when BMI were used to measure athletes, a large percentage of them were often considered to be obese, where in actual fact they are not. Many athletes tend to have high BMI due to muscle mass being built up and not due to body fat.

The United States CDC states:

"BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI is moderately correlated with more direct measures of body fat obtained from skinfold thickness measurements, bioelectrical impedance, underwater weighing, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and other methods. Furthermore, BMI appears to be strongly correlated with various adverse health outcomes consistent with these more direct measures of body fatness."

The chart below is a rough guide that reveals if you are of average BMI and weight, overweight, or are considered to be obese for your height.

* National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Obesity Around the World

Today the United States ranks as the most obese country in the world. In the average country tracked by the OECD, about 1/5 of the population is obese.

Nearly Half of Americans Will Be Obese by 2030

Many Americans are in denial about the numbers on the scale, with only half of those who are overweight or obese reporting as such. Which may help explain why a recent Gallup poll found that the obesity rates among American adults is still on the rise! If Americans keep getting heavier at the current rate, 42% of the population will be obese by 2030, a new study says. The increase accounts for an additional 32 million obese Americans and a whopping $549.5 billion in medical expenditures over the same time frame. The data did not include child obesity, so the estimates could be conservative. Obese children typically become obese adults, says America's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC), who has proclaimed American obesity to be an "epidemic". The study is published online by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Current BMI Classification Scale

In June 1998 the American National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced its BMI guidelines, to determine healthy weight, to ensure researchers, dietitians, doctors and government agencies were using the same BMI data classifications.

BMI Range

BMI Number	Classified As:
Less than 18.5	Underweight
18.5 to 24.9	Normal
25.0 to 29.9	Overweight
30.0 to 34.9	Obesity - Class I
35.0 to 39.9	Obesity - Class II
More than 40.0	Extreme Obesity - Class III
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The following chart outlines the ideal body fat percentage factors in age as well as body composition difference between males and females - including the fact that body fat mass naturally increases with age.

The American Council on Exercises (ACE) published a table (see below) classifying male and female fat percentage under different fitness categories. The chart is based on the percentage of essentials fats. It indicates the ideal amount of essential fats necessary for a man or woman to maintain core functions, brain development, inflammation control, blood-clotting, etc. Though the table does not include age ranges, the chart does provide ideal body fat measurement percentage specifically for athletes, fit individuals, as well as those who are average in physique, and people who are obese.

Proposed Clinical Staging System for Obesity

Current classifications of obesity based on body mass index, waist circumference and other anthropometric measures, although useful for population studies, have important limitations when applied to individuals in clinical practice. Thus, these measures do not provide information on presence or extent of comorbidities or functional limitations that would guide decision making in individuals.

The Edmonton obesity staging system (EOSS), is a 5-point ordinal classification system that considers comorbidity and functional status, in predicting mortality in a nationally representative US sample. The Edmonton obesity staging system independently predicted increased mortality even after adjustment for contemporary methods of classifying adiposity. The Edmonton obesity staging system may offer improved clinical utility in assessing obesity-related risk and prioritizing treatment.

Helpful Related Charts, Tables and Reference Guides:

Generally, obesity is treated with certain lifestyle changes such as diet plans and making exercise routines. Medications and surgeries may also be an option depending on the cause of the obesity, its severity, and the individual's choices. If you have been diagnosed with obesity, contact your doctor to discuss the most current treatment options.

• How to Lose Body Fat Fast
• Child Height to Weight Chart
• Weight Loss Planning Calculator
• Adult Height to Weight Ratio Chart
• Convert Stones (st) Pounds (lb) Kilograms (kg)
• Height Chart of Men and Women in World Countries
• What Does it Take to Burn off Calories If I Eat or Drink a Food Item

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Cite This Page (APA): Langtree, I. C. (2019, January 10 - Last revised: 2024, September 26). Underweight, Normal, Overweight or Obese? Where Do You Fall?. Disabled World. Retrieved October 4, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/calculators-charts/normal-bmi.php

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