Obesity Meaning, Fatness Criteria, Statistics, World Obesity Day
Obesity means excessive fat accumulation which creates a risk to health and increases the likelihood of health complications. In Asian countries, if you weigh 20% over your ideal body weight, you are classified as obese. On a global level particularly in the West, if you weigh 25% over your ideal body weight, you are classified as obese. This was the traditional method of deciding obesity. Obesity meaning in hindi is motapa.
Current statistics show that 800 million worldwide are living with obesity. By 2025, obesity due to medical consequences will have spending of 1 trillion dollars. If obese people test covid-19 positive then they are twice as likely to be hospitalized. Childhood obesity is on the rise as expected to increase by 60% (250 million) by 2030.
Obesity meaning is crucial to understand in order to avoid insulin resistance which leads to complications of obesity. This can lead to syndrome X or metX in which a cluster of metabolic disorders can occur.
Obesity is preventable. Therefore, we should know the parameters which are used to classify obesity. The three predominant criteria to measure obesity are:
- BMI or Body mass index
- Waist Circumference
- Body Composition
BMI
BMI or Body Mass Index is a ratio of weight in kilograms to height in meter square.
The World Health Organization considers that in adults in the Western world; a BMI greater than or equal to 25 is overweight. BMI greater than or equal to 30 is Obese. In Asian adults, BMI greater than or equal to 23 is overweight. And BMI greater than 27.5 is Obese. BMI readings can be misleading particularly in individuals who are into weight training.
In Children, WHO charts to determine growth and development note the age parameter.
Abdominal Obesity
Waist Circumference measurements give an indication of abdominal obesity.
Obesity meaning also resonates with a concept called “Thin fat” which means that you may appear thin or normo-weight but you could have a potbelly or high belly fat (abdominal obesity).
People with high abdominal fat or huge bellies or big tummies have apple-shaped body types. Such people have an increased risk for lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (heart disease), hyperlipidemias, and even cancer. They could have insulin resistance. This sets up a vicious cycle of food cravings and hunger pangs and needs timely intervention with the right medical and nutrition advice. There are qualified nutritionists and dietitians who will give you more personalized guidance.
Body Composition
The body composition readings help the clinician to understand a person’s distribution of total body fat, visceral fat, hydration (fluids in the body), lean body mass, and so on. This gives an idea of the body composition distribution in a person. This helps the dietitian to understand and guide you better with appropriate food choices and lifestyle changes to enjoy a better quality of life, improved health and longevity.
Obesity Statistics
800 million people around the world are living with obesity.
The medical consequences of obesity will cost over $1 trillion by 2025.
Obese people who test positive for Covid-19 are twice as likely to be hospitalized.
Childhood obesity is expected to increase by 60% over the next decade, reaching 250 million by 2030.
World Obesity Day
World Obesity Day started in 2015 to create awareness on Obesity. The idea is to encourage practical solutions to people to maintain a healthy weight. The aim is to share experiences, improve policies and reverse the obesity crisis. Consult a qualified nutritionist or dietitian to help you lose weight and make healthy lifestyle choices.
Pallavi Pinge is a Clinical Nutritionist and Dietitian | Content Director & Editor for health websites | has a passion for digital health and enjoys promoting health and wellness. She’s the founder and director of Ambrosia Wellness, where she provides personalized nutrition counseling, education, and coaching to individuals with various health conditions. You can follow her on her social media channels below to stay tuned in with the latest in health and wellness | Health Blog | Contact her for appointments |
