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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffObesity is defined as having an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity is more than just a cosmetic concern, though. It increases your risk of diseases and health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Doctors often use a formula based on your height and weight — called the body mass index (BMI) — to determine if you are obese. Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher are considered obese. Extreme obesity, also called severe obesity or morbid obesity, occurs when you have a BMI of 40 or more. With morbid obesity, you are especially likely to have serious health problems.
| BMI | Weight status |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 — 24.9 | Normal |
| 25.0 — 29.9 | Overweight |
| 30.0 and higher | Obese |
Today, about one in three American adults is considered to be obese, but obesity is also becoming an increasing health problem globally. The good news is that even modest weight loss can improve or prevent the health problems associated with obesity.
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- The practical guide: Identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/prctgd_c.pdf. Accessed Feb. 25, 2009.
- Donnelly JE, et al. American College of Sports Medicine position stand: Appropriate physical activity intervention strategies for weight loss and prevention of weight regain for adults. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2009;41:459.
- Sacks F, et al. Comparison of weight-loss diets with different compositions of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. New England Journal of Medicine. 2009;360:859.
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- Hensrud DD (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 2, 2009.
- Anderson CA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 3, 2009.
