Obesity

Obesity means that you have an unhealthy amount of body fat. Everyone needs some body fat, but too much fat can cause health problems.

Overweight and obesity are defined using a tool called Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is a way of estimating total body fat for most people. The easiest way to find out your BMI is to use a BMI table for adults (see below). To find your BMI, you need to know your height and your weight. You can also take your weight in pounds, divide that number by your height in inches squared, and multiply the result by 703 to get your BMI.

Note: this chart is for adults (age 20 years and older) Source: Surgeon General's Healthy Weight Advice for Consumers, 2001

If your BMI is 25-29.9, you are in the "overweight" category. If your BMI is 30 or above, you are in the "obese" category. There are three classes of obesity:

• Class I obesity — BMI of 30-34.9

• Class II obesity— of 35-39.9

• Class III obesity— of 40 and higher

In general, the higher your BMI is above 25, the greater your weight-related health risks.