Obesity: High Body Mass Index

Obesity is a medical condition where a person has excess body fat which may change his or her overall health. To be diagnosed with obesity, a person would have a high body mass index (BMI). BMI indicates whether a person has the correct weight to their height. This can also show, if a person is underweight, has a healthy weight, excess weight or obesity. If a person has a BMI outside the normal range, it could lead to various health risk.

BMI can help doctors track the individual weight to identify issues.

Tackling obesity is vital as it can lead to potentially life-threatening diseases such as type2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, strokes or types of cancer such as breast cancer or bowel cancer. When consuming more calories than you burn off through physical activity, this usually leads to obesity, this is because the body stores excess energy as fat. Moreover, obesity is not just a cosmetic concern; it is detrimental to an individual’s health.

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It is reported the life expectancy of patients with BMI over 40 is reduced. To diagnose obesity doctors will perform a physical examination to detect obesity and will prescribe several tests.

These tests comprise:

1. Calculating the BMI

Doctors will take the reading of BMI as levels over 30 are likely to lead to increase health risk. BMI should be tested for assessment at least once year; this is due to the fact that it will help assess the overall health risks and what therapies may be necessary.

2. Measurement of chest circumference

The fat stored around the waist which the general term is visceral as this can increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

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The waist circumference is also checked yearly according to the BMI scale. Doctors and dietitians use the waist circumference scale to assess whether you are overweight, and whether the extra weight puts your health at risk. Measuring your waist is a good way to test that you don’t bear too much fat around your stomach, buttocks and thighs.

To measure the waist, you would use a plastic tapes mid-way between the lowest rib and the iliac crest with the subject standing (accuracy: 1mm). WC should be measured at the level of iliac crest using measuring tape. The subject should be at a standing posture with minimal respiration (p58). (article #3).

In addition, WC can be used to treat obesity when waist circumference is positively associated with BMI (Article #1). As a general reference, a WC greater than or equivalent to 94 cm in men and 80 cm in women is associated with increased health risks associated with obesity. If a man has a WC bigger than 102 cm, he is at a substantially higher risk, as are females with a WC greater than 88 cm. A WC bigger than 120 cm for men and 110 cm for women puts these people at exceptionally high risk for health issues linked to obesity. Summary: Obesity is a medical condition where a person has excess body fat which may change his or her overall health. If a person has a BMI outside the normal range, it could lead to various health risk. Doctors will take the reading of BMI as levels over 30 are likely to lead to increase health risk. Doctors and dietitians use the waist circumference scale to assess whether you are overweight, and whether the extra weight puts your health at risk. In addition, WC can be used to treat obesity when waist circumference is positively associated with BMI.