Being overweight or obese is not fun for anyone. Obese people are constantly made fun of, ridiculed, and made to feel like they are unloved. In addition to that, an obese person is at risk for a plethora of health issues, which become even more dangerous if they continue to stay obese.

What Is The Difference Between Being Overweight And Being Obese?

While both terms refer to having more body fat than what is considered healthy, “obese” is used to refer to a higher amount of body fat than “overweight.” A person is obese when they have a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or higher.

Health Risks That Come with Obesity

Knowing about the health risks associated with obesity can help motivate people to shed those extra pounds. Some of these risks include:

  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Gallbladder disease and gallstones
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Gout
  • Breathing problems like sleep apnea and asthma

The more obese a person is, the more likely they are to develop health problems. People who are 20% or more overweight can benefit a lot from losing weight.

Doctors also say that people who are less than 20% overweight should still try losing weight if they have any of the following risks:

  • A family history of chronic diseases – If any of your close relatives have or had diabetes or heart disease, you are more likely to develop these problems if you are obese.
  • Pre-existing medical condition – If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, or high blood sugar levels, you should take it as a warning sign of an obesity-related disease.
  • Apple shape – Some people carry their weight around their stomach, while others who are pear-shaped who carry their weight in their hips and buttocks. People with an apple-shaped figure are more at risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and cancer than pear-shaped people.

How Can You Tell If You Are Obese?

A few pounds here and there doesn’t seem like much, but in the long run, they add up, leading to significant changes. Two numbers that can help you tell if you’re obese or not are your BMI (body mass index) score and your waist size in inches.

BMI

Your BMI is a simple way of telling you where you are on the weight spectrum – whether you are underweight, overweight, or have obesity.

  • Normal weight: BMI of 18.5 to 24.9
  • Overweight: BMI of 25 to 29.9
  • Obesity: BMI of 30 or higher

Waist Size

Too much fat around your waist increases the chance of health problems in the future. Men with a waist size of 40 inches or more and women with a waist size of 35 inches or more are at risk of developing obesity-related diseases.

Contact Us to Take the First Step

Take initiative now to lose weight – your future self will thank you for starting today. To find out more about healthy, safe, and effective weight loss, contact our office for a consultation with well-respected surgeon.