Overweight refers to an excess of body weight compared to set standards. The excess weight may come from muscle, bone, fat, and/or body water. Obesity refers specifically to having an abnormally high proportion of body fat. A person can be overweight without being obese, as in the example of a bodybuilder or other athlete who has a lot of muscle. However, many people who are overweight are also obese.
Various methods are used to determine if an individual’s weight has increased his or her health risks. The most commonly used method today is the body mass index (BMI). BMI is an index of weight adjusted for the height of an individual. BMI can be used to screen for both overweight and obesity in adults. BMI is a calculation based on height and weight, and it is not gender specific in adults. BMI does not directly measure percentage of body fat, but it is a more accurate indicator of overweight and obesity than relying on weight alone.
Overweight and obesity are known risk factors for:
- Diabetes
- Coronary heart disease
- High blood cholesterol
- Stroke
- Hypertension
- Gallbladder disease
- Osteoarthritis (degeneration of cartilage and bone of joints)
- Sleep apnea and other breathing problems
- Some forms of cancer (breast, colorectal, endometrial, and kidney)
Obesity is also associated with:
- Pregnancy complications
- Menstrual irregularities
- Hirsutism (presence of excess body and facial hair)
- Stress incontinence (urine leakage caused by weak pelvic floor muscles)
- Psychological disorders, such as depression
- Increased surgical risk
- Increased mortality
What’s your body mass index? Find out with the Lifestyle Solutions’ BMI calculator