How much overweight to be obese

In addition, researchers and doctors divide obesity into three categories :. These figures are only a guide. A person who is very fit, such as an Olympic athlete, may have a high BMI. However, this does not necessarily mean that they are overweight due to excess body fat. The excess weight, in that case, may be due to increased muscle mass. The following table shows the standard weight status categories associated with BMI ranges for adults:.

A BMI of under They should ask a doctor or dietitian for advice. A BMI of By maintaining a healthy weight, they can lower their risk of developing serious health problems. A BMI of 25— A doctor may advise them to lose some weight for health reasons. They should talk with a doctor or dietitian for advice. A BMI of over 30 indicates that a person has obesity. Their health may be at risk if they do not lose weight. People who are overweight may have a higher risk than others of conditions such as heart disease , type 2 diabetes , sleep apnea, and colorectal cancer.

Some of these can be life threatening. The BMI calculator will give you a personal calorie allowance to help you achieve a healthy weight safely. The best way to lose weight if you're obese is through a combination of diet and exercise, and, in some cases, medicines.

See a GP for help and advice. Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups have a higher risk of developing some long-term chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. Measuring your waist is a good way to check you're not carrying too much fat around your stomach, which can raise your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke. You can have a healthy BMI and still have excess tummy fat, meaning you're still at risk of developing these conditions.

For children and young people aged 2 to 18, the BMI calculator takes into account age and gender as well as height and weight. Overweight children are thought to be at increased risk of a variety of health conditions, and they're also more likely to be overweight as adults.

A child's BMI is expressed as a "centile" to show how their BMI compares with children who took part in national surveys. Measuring waist size is not routinely recommended for children because it does not take their height into account.

See a GP if you're concerned about your child's weight. Multiply your weight in pounds by Divide that by your height in inches, squared:. Doctors and nurses often use BMI to help find out if a person might have a weight problem.

The BMI can also underestimate body fat in people who have lost muscle mass, such as some older people. Including this widget on your application will allow people to calculate their BMI and see the corresponding weight category.

It also provides information on what BMI is. Please upgrade to web browser that supports iframes to see this CDC widget. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity. Section Navigation.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Adult BMI Calculator. Minus Related Pages. Height: Feet. Weight: Pounds. For the information you entered: Height: Weight: Your BMI is , indicating your weight is in the category for adults of your height.