John Myers
To determine when you are overweight, the so-called body mass index (BMI) serves as a guideline. It determines the ratio of weight to height. The value is calculated from body weight (in kilograms) divided by height (in meters) squared. If your BMI is over 25, you are overweight. To calculate your personal body mass index, simply use the BMI calculator.
People with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese. Obesity can also be divided into three degrees of severity, with a BMI over 40 also being referred to as morbid obesity.
However, there are limitations to this classification. Muscle mass weighs more than fat, so very muscular people such as bodybuilders, competitive athletes, or those who do heavy physical work can have an increased BMI without being overweight. In the case of children and young people under the age of 18, their age and level of development must also be taken into account.
In addition to the BMI, the waist circumference is also taken into account when assessing overweight. Fat distribution also plays an important role in the health consequences of being overweight. A distinction is made between the pear and the apple type. In the former, the fat deposits are mainly on the thighs, legs, and buttocks, in the latter mainly in the abdomen, and on the internal organs.
Excess abdominal fat has been linked to an increased risk of inflammation, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. A waist circumference of 88 centimeters or more is considered problematic for women and a waist circumference of 102 centimeters or more for men, provided that the BMI is over 25 at the same time.
