Dear MEL Topic Readers,
A new definition of obesity goes beyond BMI. What this could mean for you
Body mass index (BMI) is a calculation performed by dividing the weight in kilograms by the height in square meters. BMI under 20 is considered underweight, over 25 is overweight, and over 30 is obese. For example, think of a man whose height is 170cm. If he weighs 55kg, his BMI is 19 (underweight), if he weighs 70 kg, it’s 24.2 (normal), if 80 kg, 27.7 (overweight), and if 90 kg, 31.1 (obese). There are nearly 900 million adults in the world who are considered obese. Since BMI is simple and easy to calculate, it has been used widely to classify individuals' weight conditions regardless of their age, ethnicity, or body structure. For example, the BMI of a muscular person is calculated the same as a fat person if their weight and height are the same. Recently, an international commission proposed excess body fat and waist circumference be included in defining obesity and used as part of an initial screening for further assessment, such as waist-to-hip ratio, bone density, and body fat percentage. Also, among those who are diagnosed as obese, some may be clinically obese and their body systems are already affected by the excess fat. They need medical care. Others are still pre-clinically obese and need medical attention. It may be good news for those who are muscular or whose bone density is high, but not for everyone whose BMI is late 20s or higher.
Read the article and learn about the proposed use of BMI.
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/24/health/obesity-bmi-diabetes-cardiovascular-health-wellness/index.html
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