OBESITY

Body Mass Index

One is said to be obese if their body weight is in excess of the ideal body weight by more than 20%, or if their Body Mass Index score (BMI) exceeds 30Kg/m2. [BMI = weight (kg)/ height (m) x height (m)].
Obesity is a chronic disease like hypertension and diabetes, which can and should be treated. (Chronic – the condition develops with time of improper life style).
Obesity usually occurs as a result of unhealthy eating behavior coupled with a sedentary lifestyle.




    
Consequently, obesity is the imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure where
excess energy consumed is stored as fat.

Obese people have excess body fat to the extent that health may be impaired.

Waist circumference

 

Obesity can also be estimated using waist circumference. The higher the circumference, the higher the risk of getting health problems associated with obesity. You may have a normal BMI as discussed above but if your waist circumference is still high, it means you have Trunkal obesity, which is equally dangerous.

Illustration of Waist Circumference

Male;

• Slight risk: ≥ 94 cm
• High risk: ≥ 102 cm

Female;

• Slight risk: ≥ 80 cm
• High risk: ≥ 88 cm