Difference between Overweight and Obesity

Published 20/07/2010 | By surfer

Understanding of obesity and overweight have a different meaning for each person. However, most people considered overweight far exceeds the desired weight as overweight.

The definition of obesity, according to the doctors, is a condition in which body fat is in abundance. This condition is known as a chronic disease that can be overcome. Obesity is also associated with diseases that may reduce the quality of life.

Meanwhile, overweight or being overweight is a condition in which body weight (BW) BW than the normal person. Of the estimated 210 million Indonesian population in 2000, the number of overweight people who have reached 76.7 million (17.5 percent) and that obesity reached 9.8 million (4.7 percent).

The term “normal”, “overweight”, and “obese” can vary in each country and culture. Therefore, WHO established a measurement or classification of obesity that is not dependent on cultural bias.

The most widely used method for measuring the level of obesity is the body mass index (BMI), which is obtained by dividing weight (kg) by square of height (meters). BMI can be used to determine how much a person can be exposed to the risk of certain diseases.

Asian normal BMI values from 18.5 to 22.9. Values from 23 to 24.9 is overweight (overweight). Someone said to her obesity when BMI over 30 or in other words the person has excess body weight as much as 20 percent.

There are many diseases are closely associated with being overweight. Call it high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis, back pain, and even sexual dysfunction.