How do you measure the degree of obesity?
Weight is commonly measured in Kilograms. The degree of obesity is better measured as BMI (body mass index) which is a ratio of weight and height
BMI = Weight in kgs
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(Height in metres)2
All over the world populations are becoming more and more overweight. To measure this, experts now talk about your BMI, or body mass index. This is calculated by dividing your weight in kg by your height in metres, twice. Here are some basic definitions for you.
Obesity can be graded as:
| Degree of Obesity |
Body Mass Index |
| For Westerners |
For Indians |
| Overweight; |
25.0–29.9 |
22.5 – 27.5 |
| Obesity |
30–34.9 |
27.5 – 32.5 |
| Severe obesity |
35–39.9 |
32.5 – 37.5 |
| Morbid obesity |
40–49.9 |
37.5 – 47.5 |
| Superobesity |
> 50 |
> 47.5 |
|
