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Obesity
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Table 1 - Cut-off points proposed by a WHO expert committee for the
classification of overweight
BMI* (kg m–2)
WHO classification
Popular description
<18.5
Underweight
Thin
18.5–24.9
_____
‘Healthy’, ‘normal’, ‘acceptable’
25.0–29.9
Grade 1 overweight
Overweight
30.0–39.9
Grade 2 overweight
Obesity
≥40.0
Grade 3 overweight
Morbid obesity
*BMI is the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in metres.
The
data presented in Tables 1 and 2 reflect knowledge acquired largely
from epidemiological studies in developed countries. Preliminary
information from developing nations indicates that lower cut-off levels
for both BMI and waist circumference (see Table 2) are necessary for
certain populations who are at particular risk from comparatively modest
degrees of overweight.
Source: Peter, 2000
Table 2 – Waist circumference predicts risk of metabolic complications
Increased risk
Substantially increased risk
Men
≥94 cm
≥102 cm
Women
≥88 cm
≥88 cm
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