Obesity

Obesity Measurement

search

Obesity Measurement, Obesity Screening

  • See Also
  1. Obesity
  2. Obesity in Children
  3. Obesity Evaluation
  4. Obesity Risk (or Obesity Comorbid Conditions)
  5. Obesity Management
  6. Obesity Medication
  7. Dietary Supplements in Obesity
  8. Exercise in Obesity
  9. Obesity Resources
  1. Body Mass Index (BMI in kg/m2) Grading: Non-Asian Descent
    1. BMI 25 to 30: Overweight
    2. BMI 30 to 35: Class 1 Obesity
    3. BMI 35 to 40: Class 2 Obesity
    4. BMI >40: Class 3 Obesity (Severe Obesity)
  2. Body Mass Index (BMI in kg/m2) Grading: Asian Descent
    1. BMI 23 to 27.5: Overweight
    2. BMI 27.5 to 32.5: Class 1 Obesity
    3. BMI 32.5 to 37.5: Class 2 Obesity
    4. BMI >37.5: Class 3 Obesity (Severe Obesity)
  3. Waist Circumference Overweight Criteria
    1. Female >=35 inches (>=31 in asian descent)
    2. Male >=40 inches (>=35 in asian descent)
  4. Body Fat Percent Overweight Criteria
    1. Female >= 32%
    2. Male >= 25%
  5. Prior Obesity definitions
    1. Men: 20% over estimated Ideal Weight
    2. Women: 30% over estimated Ideal Weight
  • Exam
  • Most useful Measurements
  1. Body Mass Index (BMI)
  2. Anthropometry
    1. Waist-to-Hip Ratio
    2. Waist Circumference
  3. Neck circumference (best predictor of Sleep Apnea)
    1. Men: >17 inch (42.5 cm) neck circumference
    2. Women: >16 inch (40.6 cm) neck circumference
  • Exam
  • Other Measurements
  1. Skin-fold measurement
    1. Very operator dependent
    2. Normal subcutaneous fat
      1. Men: 11%
      2. Women: 18%
  2. Underwater weighing
    1. Gold standard
    2. Dependent on bone density
  3. Bioelectrical impedance
    1. Safe, noninvasive, fairly reliable
    2. Dependent on hydration
  • Resources
  1. Frank (1998) J Am Diet Assoc 98:S44-48 [PubMed]
  2. Keating (2024) Am Fam Physician 110(2): 145-56 [PubMed]
  3. Lyznicki (2001) Am Fam Physician 63(11):2185-96 [PubMed]
  4. Rippe (1998) J Am Diet Assoc 98:S9-15 [PubMed]
  5. Speer (1997) Phys Sportsmed 25:94-107 [PubMed]
  6. (1998) AOA Treatment Adult Obesity, 2nd edition
  7. (1998) Obesity Res 6(suppl 2):51S-209S