Obesity is a condition defined as abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat in the body to the extent that it contributes to other health problems leading to reduced life expectancy.
How is Obesity measured? What is BMI?
BMI (Body Mass Index): It is a Screening tool to help you find out whether your weight is ideal for your height.BMI of an individual is calculated by dividing his weight in pounds or kilograms by his height in meters (m) squared. For example: If a female with a height of 160 cm and weight 85 kg, her BMI will be:
BMI= 85/1.6x1.6= 33.20 kg/m2
1 Pound = 0.453592 kilograms
- A BMI below 18.5 is considered to be underweight
- A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered to be normal
- A BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 is considered as overweight
- A BMI of 30.0 to 39.9 is considered to be obese
- A BMI of 40 or above is considered to be severely obese
Obesity increases the chances of many metabolic diseases like Heart disease, Diabetes Type II, Sleep Apnea, Fatty liver, Cancer, and Osteoarthritis.
Obesity can be caused due to hormonal imbalance, faulty eating habits, stressful life, psychiatric illness and lack of physical exercise.
