Am I Overweight or Obese?

Written by Sky Taylor, Diet Bites

The Difference Between Overweight & Obesity - The Big Oh's

What is the difference between overweight and obesity? And - you mean there is a difference? Unfortunately, yes....

We have attached our BMI chart below for your quick reference.

Overweight, BMI 25 - 30, Obesity, BMI Exceeds 30

Note that 'overweight' occurs when the BMI numbers register 25.0 to 29.9. A number over 30.0 is considered as an obese stage.

However, keep in mind that BMI Charts - just like recommended weight charts should only be used in setting weight goals. These are patterns - just numbers that are never suited for all individuals.

Charts Should Be Used as Patterns for Setting Health Goals, Not Taken as Set in Stone

For example, Dieter Bella is five feet, four inches in height. She currently weighs 150 pounds and based on the BMI Chart, she is considered overweight.

However, Dieter Bella also lifts weights and has a striking about of muscle mass. She is as fit as fit can be as muscle is heavier than fat.

Now let's look at Dieter Wendy who is five feet, three inches and who weighs 146 pounds.

She is just one inch shorter than Bella and Wendy doesn't lift weights.

However, while Bella is flat-chested and flat-butted, Wendy is quite generous in both areas of her body.

Weight and BMI Charts are based on the standard, average physique and do not allow for such 'overages' or should we say, 'gifts'.

Wendy is not overweight at this size, although the BMI Chart indicates otherwise.

Therefore, keep in mind that all health charts are based on standard physiques and while they can be used a fantastic patterns in setting goals, they should never be set in stone.

BODY MASS INDEX CHART

BMI	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35
Height	Current Body Weight in Pounds
58"	91	96	100	105	110	115	119	124	129	134	138	143	148	153	158	162	167
59"	94	99	104	109	114	119	124	128	133	138	143	148	153	158	163	168	173
60"	97	102	107	112	118	123	128	133	138	143	148	153	158	163	168	174	179
61"	100	106	111	116	122	127	132	137	143	148	153	158	164	169	174	180	185
62"	104	109	115	120	126	131	136	142	147	153	158	164	169	175	180	186	191
63"	107	113	118	124	130	135	141	146	152	158	163	169	175	180	186	191	197
64"	110	116	122	128	134	140	145	151	157	163	169	174	180	186	192	197	204
65"	114	120	126	132	138	144	150	156	162	168	174	180	186	192	198	204	210
66"	118	124	130	136	142	148	155	161	167	173	179	186	192	198	204	210	216
67"	121	127	134	140	146	153	159	166	172	178	185	191	198	204	211	217	223
68"	125	131	138	144	151	158	164	171	177	184	190	197	203	210	216	223	230
69"	128	135	142	149	155	162	169	176	182	189	196	203	209	216	223	230	236
70"	132	139	146	153	160	167	174	181	188	195	202	209	216	222	229	236	243
71"	136	143	150	157	165	172	179	186	193	200	208	215	222	229	236	243	250
72"	140	147	154	162	169	177	184	191	199	206	213	221	228	235	242	250	258
73"	144	151	159	166	174	182	189	197	204	212	219	227	235	242	250	257	265
74"	148	155	163	171	179	186	194	202	210	218	225	233	241	249	256	264	272
75"	152	160	168	176	184	192	200	208	216	224	232	240	248	256	264	272	279
76"	156	164	172	180	189	197	205	213	221	230	238	246	254	263	271	279	287

In Summary: You don't need a chart to tell you which weight you should be at; base your weight on how you look, how you feel and the size that you are most comfortable at.

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