The Definition of Obesity

Definition of Obesity
# A person is considered obese when the percentage of body fat, according to age and sex, exceeds 5% of the average percentage for that age and sex classification.

# Young women are considered obese when body fat is 25% or greater; middle-aged women are considered obese when body fat is 30% or greater.

# Young men are considered obese when body fat is 20% or greater; middle-aged men are obese when body fat is 30% or greater.


# Age-Based Definition of Obesity
# In developed countries, obesity occurs frequently among the lower classes, whereas in underdeveloped countries, obesity occurs more frequently among the upper classes.

# The lowest body fat percentage is genetically set, but the maximum percentage is heavily affected by the person's environmental factors.

# Dissatisfaction and stress can cause obesity.



Overweight
Note: the following formulas are given according to the metric system, and require translation to inches and pounds.

# Overweight: The condition in which body weight is excessively greater than the standard body weight.

# Determining standard or ideal body weight: subtract 100 from a person's height to estimate a person's standard body weight; this does not apply to children. People taller than 160 cm, should subtract 110 to estimate their standard body weight.

# Another method is subtracting 100 and multiplying this number by 0.9 (height-100) * 0.9=standard body weight. People less than 155 cm, should subtract 100 from their height to determine their standard body weight.

# Overweight= height - 110 + 10%.



Basal Metabolic Rate
# BMR is the energy used to maintain essential biological functions like circulation, breathing, digestion, maintaining body temperature, and neural and cellular activity.

# The basal metabolic rate differs depending on sex, age, race, endocrine system, and body surface area, but normal adults consume 1200-1800 kcal daily, 60-70% of total energy consumption.

# The BMR is higher in persons with greater body surface area, for example, a tall, skinny person versus a short, fat person of the same body weight.

# Men have higher BMRs because they have more muscle tissue.

# If a fever is present, the amount of energy needed by cells increases.