What is overweight? Obese? 

 

• WHO (World Health Organization) defines overweight and obesity as follows:

       overweight is a BMI greater than or equal to 25

       obesity is a BMI greater than or equal to 30.

 

• BMI provides the most useful population-level measure of overweight and obesity as it is the same for both sexes and for all ages of adults. However, it should be considered a rough guide because it may not correspond to the same degree of fatness in different individuals.

 

 Health concerns related to weight:

 

• Raised BMI is a major risk factor for diseases such as: cardiovascular diseases (mainly heart disease and stroke), which were the leading cause of death in 2012; diabetes; musculoskeletal disorders (especially osteoarthritis – a highly disabling degenerative disease of the joints); some cancers (including endometrial, breast, ovarian, prostate, liver, gallbladder, kidney, and colon).

 

• Childhood obesity is associated with a higher chance of obesity, premature death and disability in adulthood.

 

• In addition to increased future risks, obese children experience breathing difficulties, increased risk of fractures, hypertension, early markers of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and psychological effects.