BMI and Obesity: What You Should Know If You Are Overweight

BMI and Obesity – What You Should Know If You Are Overweight

Alexandra Wiesinger Published on May 7, 2021

Obesity has become a serious disease worldwide.

For the first time ever, underweight and overweight people are evenly distributed across the world: 1.1 billion people go hungry every day – 1.1 billion are overweight, and the numbers continue to rise steadily.

According to the Robert Koch Institute, 54% of the population in Germany is affected by obesity. ¹

Since the disease occurs mainly in industrialized countries, it can be said that obesity has become a global luxury problem.

But what exactly is obesity?

Obesity, also known as adiposity, is a chronic disease in which there is an excessive formation of body fat.

Depending on the extent of the excess weight, there are 3 degrees, which are determined and classified using the body mass index (BMI).

The group most frequently affected by obesity is young women. In addition, the disease is increasingly beginning to affect children and adolescents.

If nothing is done about the excess weight, physical problems such as cardiovascular diseases or diabetes mellitus can occur in the long term.

Find out everything you need to know about obesity and how you can use the BMI calculator to recognize and classify it!

Calculate your BMI now

At what BMI does obesity begin?

Before we answer this question, you should know: not all obesity is the same. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), we distinguish between three degrees of obesity depending on the severity.

This makes it easier to assess the risk of possible secondary diseases and to classify the condition.

The body mass index, or BMI for short, can help with this. Although it cannot be used to determine the distribution of body fat, the index does provide a rough estimate of whether you are within the normal weight range or at risk of being overweight.

To calculate your BMI, you need to divide your body weight in kilograms by the ratio of your height in meters to the square. Sounds complicated?

But it doesn't have to be! With pre-programmed online tests, such as our BMI calculator, you can simply enter your body weight, height, age and sex. The last two factors are important because, for example, the BMI of a woman differs from the BMI of a man due to the physical composition.

This way, you quickly get an individual value that can be easily classified using the BMI table of the WHO.

In general, people with a BMI of 25 or more are considered overweight and those with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese.

At this point, it is important to mention that BMI can only provide an approximate classification into a weight category. Since individual factors and pre-existing conditions play a role, it may also be necessary to consult with a medical professional.

What is obesity in simple terms?

The D German Obesity Society defines obesity as an increase in body fat that goes beyond the normal level, which is why it is also known as obesity or adipose. In other words, it is a disease that is associated with significant obesity.

Those affected usually suffer twice: on the one hand, the figure does not correspond to the social ideal of beauty in the “ slimness craze”. On the other hand, obesity is a serious chronic disease that is associated with additional risks and can lead to further health problems.

For example, it is one of the most common risk factors for the metabolic disorder diabetes mellitus, and obesity also significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and some forms of cancer.

What causes obesity?

Obesity usually develops when you take in more energy in the form of food than your body can use.

Often, there is also a lack of physical activity, so that the excess energy is not processed but stored in the form of fat cells, increasing the risk of obesity.

The fat deposits that are created as a result are only broken down when the body is supplied with too little energy, i.e. food, over a longer period of time.

This imbalance between energy intake and energy consumption can thus lead to obesity in the long term.

Nevertheless, it should be noted that genetic and psychological factors can also play an important role in the development of obesity.

Calorie calculator – calculate your calorie requirement now

Risk factors for obesity

Genetic factors
Unhealthy lifestyle:

Lack of exercise
Large amounts of high-calorie food
Low-fiber or high-fat diet

Stress, depression and lack of sleep
Eating disorders
Metabolic disorders
Certain medications

Obesity in children

According to the study results of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents, overweight and adiposity in children and adolescents represent a significant health problem. ¹

However, this does not refer to the so-called baby fat in infants. This is not only cute, but also completely harmless.

However, not every child experiences a reduction in high body fat over time, which can indicate obesity.

The problem with this is that overweight children usually remain overweight as adults. To give a specific figure: it is estimated that about 75% of all children who have a significantly increased BMI at the age of 10-11 years are obese in adulthood.

Even if being overweight in children and adolescents has the same long-term consequences as in adults, some damage occurs during childhood.

The earlier obesity begins, the more severe the secondary diseases are later.

BMI calculator for children

What is grade 1 obesity?

Grade 1 obesity is generally present in people with a BMI of 30 or more. However, depending on age and gender, the classification may be slightly different.

The German Obesity Society warns: the risk of secondary diseases is already slightly increased.

In addition to high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes mellitus, a heart attack or stroke is also likely.

Grade 2 obesity

If the BMI calculator determines values between 35 and 39.9, this is classed as moderate grade 2 obesity.

With this form, even simple movements are difficult for those affected. The risk of heart attack and stroke also increases rapidly.

With diets alone, it is often no longer possible to combat grade 2 obesity.

Above all, the yo-yo effect of radical diets makes the weight loss process extremely difficult. Just as quickly as the kilos disappear, they return again.

What is grade 3 obesity?

From a BMI of over 40, you are affected by the most severe form of the disease. At this stage, severe secondary diseases are highly likely.

In addition to obesity, there are other symptoms such as shortness of breath, uncontrolled sweating and severe joint pain.

Psychological complaints such as self-doubt and depression also represent an additional burden. Those affected reach their limits both physically and mentally.

In addition to medical help, psychological support such as behavioral therapy can provide support. With the help of therapy, eating habits can be reconsidered and improved.

Healthy eating for obesity

Lifestyle plays a particularly important role in the prevention and treatment of obesity:

A balanced, healthy diet, plenty of physical activity and regular weight control are the most important aids to keeping your body weight within the normal range or helping you lose weight.

It is important to integrate enough exercise and, above all, enough fiber into your healthy breakfast. Calorie-dense foods with lots of unhealthy fats and sugars should be avoided.

It is therefore better to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables as well as wholegrain products. Chia seeds, for example, are not only very high in fibre, but also provide you with sufficient healthy fats.

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