Question

A college-going student comes to you for her increased weight gain.
How do you measure and classify obesity?

Hint:

While BMI is commonly used, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio offer better insight into the distribution of fat and associated health risks.

Answer 1

Obesity is measured using BMI, which is a useful screening tool. Additional measures like waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio can provide further insights into the health risks associated with obesity. These classifications help in determining the appropriate treatment and interventions.
Obesity is commonly measured using the Body Mass Index (BMI). The classification is based on BMI values:

Step 1: Body Mass Index (BMI)
BMI is calculated using the formula: \[ \text{BMI} = \frac{\text{weight (kg)}}{\text{height (m)}^2} \] BMI is classified as follows:
- Normal weight: BMI between 18.5 and 24.9
- Overweight: BMI between 25 and 29.9
- Obesity: BMI of 30 or above, which is further classified into:
$\,$ - Class 1 Obesity (Moderate): BMI between 30 and 34.9
$\,$ - Class 2 Obesity (Severe): BMI between 35 and 39.9
$\,$ - Class 3 Obesity (Morbid Obesity): BMI of 40 or above

Step 2: Waist Circumference
Waist circumference helps assess abdominal obesity, which is a key risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
- Increased risk is identified with a waist circumference >40 inches (102 cm) in men and >35 inches (88 cm) in women.

Step 3: Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR)
The waist-to-hip ratio is another important measure for assessing fat distribution. A ratio above 0.9 for men and 0.85 for women indicates a higher risk for obesity-related diseases.