Overweight & Obesity

Weight that is higher than what is considered healthy for a given height is described as overweight or obesity. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a screening tool for overweight and obesity.

  • If your BMI is less than 18.5, it falls within the underweight range.
  • If your BMI is 18.5 to <25, it falls within the healthy weight range.
  • If your BMI is 25.0 to <30, it falls within the overweight range.
  • If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the obesity range.

Obesity is frequently subdivided into categories:

  • Class 1: BMI of 30 to < 35
  • Class 2: BMI of 35 to < 40
  • Class 3: BMI of 40 or higher. Class 3 obesity is sometimes categorized as “severe” obesity.
BMI1920212223242526272829303132333435

Height     

 

Body Weight (pounds)
58″9196100105110115119124129134138143148153158162167
59″9499104109114119124128133138143148153158163168173
60″97102107112118123128133138143148153158163168174179
61″100106111116122127132137143148153158164169174180185
62″104109115120126131136142147153158164169175180186191
63″107113118124130135141146152158163169175180186191197
64″110116122128134140145151157163169174180186192197204
65″114120126132138144150156162168174180186192198204210
66″118124130136142148155161167173179186192198204210216
67″121127134140146153159166172178185191198204211217223
68″125131138144151158164171177184190197203210216223230
69″128135142149155162169176182189196203209216223230236
70″132139146153160167174181188195202209216222229236243
71″136143150157165172179186193200208215222229236243250
72″140147154162169177184191199206213221228235242250258
73″144151159166174182189197204212219227235242250257265
74″148155163171179186194202210218225233241249256264272
75″152160168176184192200208216224232240248256264272279
76″156164172180189197205213221230238246254263271279287

Obesity means having too much body fat. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing too much. The weight may come from muscle, bone, fat, and/or body water. Both terms mean that a person’s weight is greater than what’s considered healthy for his or her height.

Obesity happens over time when you eat more calories than you use. The balance between calories-in and calories-out differs for each person. Factors that might affect your weight include your genetic makeup, overeating, eating high-fat foods, and not being physically active.

Obesity increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and some cancers. If you have obesity, losing even 5 to 10% of your weight can delay or prevent some of these diseases. For example, that means losing 10 to 20 pounds if you weigh 200 pounds.

French Fries and Potato Chips

Sugary Drinks

White Bread

Candy Bars

Most Fruit Juices

Pastries, Cookies and Cakes

Some Types of Alcohol (Especially Beer)

Ice Cream

Pizza

High-Calorie Coffee Drinks

Foods High in Added Sugar