It is well known that body weight, overweight and obesity could have crucial influence at health indicators. There are several methods which can be used for objective body weight and body fat evaluation. Thanks to hundreds of scientists nowadays different obesity indicators could show health risks based on body weight and fat distribution.
It is possible to evaluate body weight and body fatness using Body Mass Index (BMI). In order to do this, you need to know your exact height (H, in feet or meters) and weight (W, in pounds or kg). According to formula BMI = W / H2.
Obesity indicators and health risks
The following table can be used for health risks indications and recommendations:
| Weight Status | BMI |
Risks for Health | What to do? |
| Underweight | < 18.5 | Low | Work on gaining some weight |
| Normal Weight | 18.5 – 24.9 | No | Just relax |
| Overweight | 25.0 – 29.9 | Low | Work on reducing weight by increasing physical activities |
| Obese | 30.0 – 40.0 | High | Work on reducing weight using medical help |
| Severely obese | > 40.0 | Very high | Immediately reduce weight using medical or surgical approaches |
If your BMI is somewhere between 18.5 and 24.9, you do not have to think about reducing weight because you are in the safest weight category. Any BMI that is higher than 30 indicates that you have a certain type of obesity. It is very dangerous to your health and you really need to follow a strict diet. If your BMI is over 40, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Finally, if your BMI is lower than 18.5, it means that you are underweight, that is also quite risky for your health.
Obesity indicators and health
It is important to highlight that BMI does not work for pregnant women and persons below 18. The concept of BMI is based on the assumption that extra weight occurs only as a result of fat deposits in your body and it does not take into account your muscle mass.
Obesity indicators
Obesity indicators – correlation between BMI and health risks
Modern medicine can indicate the following health risk factors correlated with BMI:
- The lowest risks for heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers are in people with BMI values of 21 – 25.
- The risks increase slightly when BMI values are 25 – 27.
- The risks are significant in BMIs 27 – 30.
- The same risks are dramatic at BMIs over 30.
Obesity health risks
Anyone with chronic health problems, such as heart or lung disease, stroke, or arthritis, should be concerned about extra weight.
