Overweight, Obese, Normal, What Does It All Mean?

Now that you know your BMI, you're probably wondering what it all means. After calculating your BMI, you've either fell into one of five weight categories (underweight, normal, overweight, obese or morbidly obese). Well, let's take a moment and go through them.

Underweight

If you calculated your BMI and your result puts you in the "underweight" category, it is important that you share this information with a healthcare professional. Quite often, people may think that it's healthy to be underweight; however, this is not true. You want to make sure that your body is getting the daily requirements of nutrients and vitamins to function at a healthy status.

 

Normal

Having a "normal" BMI score means that your body weight based on mass and height is what the Center for Disease Control (CDC) considers normal. At this category, you may not be experiencing any weight-related health conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, but it is important to maintain your weight and routinely check your BMI. As we age, our bodies change and our metabolisms slow down; therefore, you may gain weight in the future and this could impact your health.

 

Overweight

Having a BMI of 25-29.9 puts you in the "overweight" weight category. In this category, you may notice physical changes in your body such as clothes feeling tighter or even feeling more tired after a day of work. Weight-related health conditions such as diabetes could also be a threat at this point. It is important for you to talk to a healthcare professional about your weight and find the best weight-loss plan for your situation.

 

Obese

The clinical definition for obesity is, "Obesity is classified as having a BMI of 30 or greater. Today, more than 93 million Americans are obese. Obesity increases your risk of developing related conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, etc." Even though short and sweet, the definition itself is on target. By being obese you are putting your health at great risk. It is very important for you to see a healthcare professional and discuss your weight. A long term weight-loss program, including behavioral changes, may be necessary to get back down to a healthy weight.

 

Morbidly Obese

Being morbidly obese means having a BMI greater than 40 or being more than 100 pounds overweight. More than 9 million Americans are morbidly obese. Quite often, people who are morbidly obese actually think they're "obese" until they calculate their BMI appropriately. Being morbidly obese puts you at a very high risk of weight-related conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, some cancers, stroke, heart disease and more. Please consult with a healthcare professional as soon as possible to decide which weight-loss method will best fit your lifestyle and needs.

Which Method is Right for You?

Truthfully, there is no right or wrong method. One is not better than the other either. Both BMI and waist circumference are simply tools to help you gauge your weight and health. Go ahead and try both of them and write down the results to discuss them with a healthcare professional. As you age, your weight will change as well. Our bodies process foods differently and we may not be as active as we once were. Taking all this into consideration, it's easy to see how your weight can easily affect your health.

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