The World Health Organization describes being overweight or obese as ‘abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health’. The term ‘obese’ generally means a much higher amount of body fat than ‘overweight’. We use body mass index (BMI) to distinguish between the two.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies the result for adults as:
- Underweight <18.5
- Healthy weight 18.5-24.9
- Overweight 25-29.9
- Obese >30
What’s the difference between being overweight and obesity?
Being overweight is a signal that you need to take action. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of disease, which seems most evident when the BMI score is above 35. This is related not only to the amplified physical effects on our breathing and movement of carrying excess fats, but also to the metabolic effects on our body’s function and internal organs. All of these can potentially lead to illness. Some of these effects might also be present if you are overweight, but to a lesser degree.
What causes overweight and obesity?
It’s easy to assume that too many calories in and not enough burned off is the prime reason you’re overweight or obese. But many other – sometimes insidious – factors can contribute which make it more difficult to maintain a healthy weight. These are just some:
- Easy access to high-calorie foods
- Low protein content in unhealthy foods
- Moving less
- Genetic factors
- Binge eating disorder
- Medicines
- Illnesses
