The words ‘overweight’ and ‘obese’ are often used interchangeably, however, there are distinct criteria that impact whether a person is classified as underweight, at a healthy weight, overweight or obese.Body Mass Index
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, your body mass index (BMI) is the gold-standard measurement when it comes to determining whether or not you are considered to have a healthy, borderline, or unhealthy amount of fat on your body.
To calculate your BMI, enter your height and weight into this online calculator, or use this chart.
- If your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, you are considered to be within the healthy weight range.
- If your BMI is between 25.0 and 29.9, you are classified as overweight.
- If your BMI is 30 or greater, you are within the obese range
The CDC guidelines reflect internationally-accepted standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), which estimates that as of 2014, 39% of adults (age 18 and older) worldwide were overweight, and 13% met the criteria for obesity.
*It’s important to note that pregnant women cannot use the body mass index calculator to determine the status of their body weight, since the pregnancy significantly impacts temporary weight gain.Generally speaking, anyone with a BMI of greater than 25 faces an increased risk of obesity-related health problems; the severity and rate of occurrence of those health problems tends to rise in relation to an increased BMI.
There are a wide range of treatment options available to overweight and obese individuals, including behavioral counseling, diet and exercise programs, and weight loss surgery. If you struggle with unwanted body weight, our team of bariatric surgical specialists here at My Destination Weightloss in Albertville can help you understand your options for achieving a sustainable, healthy BMI.
