Overweight vs Obesity

You, I, and most people have undoubtedly heard of these two terms. Both words are used to describe the same condition. Generally, the difference is linked to the severity of the problem.

Obesity and overweight are terms used to identify and describe people who have an abnormal accumulation of body fat. To put it another way, these are two conditions in which the size and number of fat cells in the body increase.

The World Health Organization defines obesity and overweight as the same condition (WHO). 'Overweight and obesity are both characterized as abnormal or excessive fat buildup that poses a serious health issue.'

Because both terms refer to the same problem with varying degrees of severity, you should avoid using them interchangeably. The question here is how we will know who is overweight and who is obese. There is a measurement known as BMI that can be used to identify these conditions.

Body Mass Index

The BMI is a weight-for-height ratio. It determines if a person is underweight, healthy weight, or overweight. The index is calculated using the person's height and weight. (You may verify your BMI by using an online BMI calculator.)

Because the fundamentals of these categories are well understood, we will define them separately, along with their BMI range, causes, problems, and treatment.

Overweight

Being overweight is seen as a situation in which a person weighs more than the average normal person.

BMI

If a person's BMI is greater than or equal to 25, he or she is deemed overweight. As an example, A 30-year-old man stands 5 feet, 8 inches tall, and weighs approximately 170 pounds. Is he overweight? His BMI is calculated to be 26. As a result, he is overweight.

Causes

Being overweight is usually caused by one of two factors. Whether the person is overeating: his calorie intake is higher than necessary, or he is overweight due to genetics. Sleep deprivation and the usage of certain medications can also be factors.

Problems

Overweight people are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure. He/She also develops a proclivity for depression.

Cure

Being overweight is not as serious as obesity. It is easily remediable. All you have to do is lose weight. There are two options. Either exercise or reduce your calorie consumption.

Obesity

Obesity is a very severe kind of overweight. It is a dangerous chronic illness that can cause a variety of serious complications.

BMI

When a person's BMI exceeds 30, they are called obese. Obesity is categorized into three types. Class, I obesity ranges from 30.0 to 34.9, Class II obesity ranges from 35.0 to 39.9, and Severe obesity ranges from 40.0 to and above. For example, consider a 25-year-old man with a height of 5 feet and 10 inches and a weight of approximately 220 pounds. Is he obese? His BMI, according to calculations, is 32. As a result, he is classified as class 1 obese.

Causes

Obesity is caused by a variety of factors. It is primarily caused by excess calorie consumption. Other causes include stress, depression, genetics, hormone imbalances, and drugs or medications.

Problems

Obesity is more dangerous than being overweight. It causes significant issues for a person. Obesity is the root cause of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when your blood glucose levels are abnormally high. Obesity causes high blood pressure, heart disease, metabolic syndromes, osteoarthritis, hypertension, and a variety of other health problems.

Cure

Obesity can be treated with a good diet and frequent physical activity. Medication can also be used to treat it. However, in severe circumstances, one may need to undergo surgery.

Conclusion

Obesity is becoming increasingly common. According to the WHO, worldwide obesity has nearly quadrupled since 1975. In 2016, the World Health Organization reported that over 1.9 billion people aged 18 and over were overweight. Over 650 million of them were obese. It is strongly advised that you never allow your BMI to exceed 30. Always look after yourself and your loved ones. Lastly, if you need to learn more about weight loss or other similar issues, please read our articles on our website.