Most common form of obesity classification in the United States is done using BMI values, but there are also other forms of classifications like body fat percentage and waist-hip ratio.
BMI Classification
It is a measurement made by comparing the height and weight of a person. Although it does not calculate the body fat percentage, it is used for estimating healthy body weight on the basis of a person’s height. In the US, BMI is a common way of classifying obesity
- BMI value below 16.5 is considered as severely underweight
- BMI value between 16.5 and 18.4 is said as underweight
- BMI value between 18.5 to 24.9 is the normal weight
- BMI value between 25 and 30 is considered as overweight
- BMI value above 30 and below 35 is said as Class I obesity or moderately obese
- BMI value between 35 to 39.9 is called Class II obesity or severely obese
- BMI value of 40 and above is considered as Class III obesity or morbidly obese
Body Fat Percentage
It is calculated by dividing an individual’s fat with his weight, and it will give the storage body fat and essential body fat. Storage body fat will have fat accumulation in the adipose tissue, a part of which will protect the internal organs in our abdomen and chest. Essential body fat is essential to maintain our life and the reproductive functions. Usually the percentage will be higher in women than men.
- Essential fat for men should be between 3-5%, whereas for women, it should be between 10-12%
- Athlete men should have 6-13%, and athlete women can have 14-20%
- For fitness level, women should have 21-24% and men 14-17%
- The acceptable level for men is between 18-26%, for women it is 25-31%
- Women with 32-41% and men between 27-37% are called over weighed
- Men with 38% plus fat and women above 42% are considered obese
Waist-hip Ratio
In the US waist to hip ratio or waist size above 102 cm in men and above 88 cm for women will be used to explain central obesity
What is BMI ?
It is an abbreviation which stands for the Body Mass Index. It is a crude way to measure the percentage of fat in our body. The method of calculation involves taking the ratio of the weight of a person in kgs to square of his height in metres. Because of this ease in measurement, it is widely is applied all over the world. For a particular height, the BMI is proportional to the weight.
This ratio provides a simple measurement of a person’s “thinness” or “fatness” in numbers. It allows doctors to explain over-weight and under-weight problems more clearly with their patients. A criterion is presented which provides clarity to further explanation of the physical condition obesity. The World Health Organization (WHO) regards a BMI of less than 18.5 to be underweight which indicates either malnutrition or an eating disorder. A BMI greater than 25 is considered overweight and greater than 30 is considered obese.
