Professionals assess if patients are overweight by measuring their BMI (Body Mass Index). The bands are quite broad and take in to account different body frames. If a person has a BMI of over 25 then they are considered medically overweight. Higher than 30 they are considered obese (as the chart below illustrates):
BMI Weight Status
Below 20 Underweight
20 – 25 Acceptable Weight Range
25.0 – 30.0 Overweight
Over 30.0 - Clinically Obese
Over 40 - Morbidly Obese
Some people who fall in the overweight band would not consider themselves overweight or are happy with their size. Furthermore many who fall in the acceptable weight range would argue they were overweight. This illustrates both that the bands are wide and that perception is key to being overweight. What someone perceives as a normal size others consider overweight. This is often fuelled by media focus on body image.
Are you overweight?
Click on the following BMI chart to see if you are overweight according to your BMI Body Mass Index Chart