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Overweight is defined as a body mass index
(BMI) of 25 to 29.9 kg/m2 and obesity as a BMI
of 30 kg/m2.
However, overweight and obesity
are not mutually exclusive, since obese persons
are also overweight. A BMI of 30 is about 30 lb
overweight and equivalent to 221 lb in a 6'0"
person and to 186 lb in one 5'6". The number
of overweight and obese men and women has
risen since 1960; in the last decade the percentage
of people in these categories has increased to
54.9 percent of adults age 20 years or older.
Overweight and obesity are especially evident in
some minority groups, as well as in those with
lower incomes and less education.
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CLASSIFICATION OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY BY BMI |
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Obesity Class |
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BMI (kg/m2) |
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Underweight |
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<18.5 |
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Normal |
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18.5 – 24.9 |
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Overweight |
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25.0 – 29.9 |
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Obesity |
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I |
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30.0 – 34.9 |
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II |
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35.0 – 39.9 |
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Extreme Obesity |
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III |
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40 |
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