Overweight or Obese Defined by Body Mass Index or Waist Girth

The Body Mass Index – Adult BMI calculator determines overweight or obese adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control, over one-third of American adults are actually obese.

Furthermore, approximately 17% of U.S. children aged 2—19 years are obese.

A quick reference guide to determine if a person is overweight or obese is the Body Mass Index. However, calculations do not actually measure an individual’s body fat. Instead, a height to weight ratio is factored. Therefore, it is not an accurate means of defining particularly athletic body types.  Typically, greater muscle density causes a higher body weight. Higher body weight can be confused with higher body fat but it is actually muscle. BMI is not an accurate method for athletes, but only for those concerned with overweight and obesity.

Body Mass Index Meanwhile, the BMI calculation does give a pretty good “rule of thumb.” For those concerned with excess body weight it can help keep you on target. Always strive for a healthy balance of maintaining your ideal weight. Allow a little leeway without going too far under or over. Only you can know how you feel with given body weight and whether or not it suits your frame. Weigh yourself no more than once a week.  Keep track of fluctuations and factors that cause them.

Overweight and Obesity by BMI Waist Circumference

Overweight or Obese Defined by Body Mass Index Chart

Disease Risks of Being Overweight

* Disease risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
+ Increased waist circumference indicates increased risk, even in persons of normal weight.

Overweight or Obese Health Risks Assessment

BMI is just one indicator of potential health risks associated with being overweight. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines recommend looking at two indications of obesity-related diseases.

• Waist Girth and Body Mass Index determine overweight or obese by waist measurement. Other methods of estimating body fat are skinfold measurements and waist girth or calculation of waist-to-hip girth ratios. Refer to the chart below for a quick reference guide.