Which one is call overweight or obese?

Which one is call overweight or obese?

overweight or obese What measures use as a measure?

Obesity is cause by the accumulation of fat in various organs throughout the body. But the most common is the area under the skin. In males, fat tends to accumulate around the abdomen. It is shape like an apple ( Apple Shape) . Females find that fat tends to accumulate on the hips. The shape therefore went out in a pear shape ( Pear Shape).

At present, medically accepted criteria. It uses body mass index, known as BMI (Body Mass Index). Which is calculate by taking weight. (in kilograms) divided by height squared (in meters)

If we weigh 55 kilograms, height 160 centimeters (1.60 meters)  

BMI = 55/ (1.60 x 1.60) = 21.48

The World Health Organization ( WHO) has defined people with a body mass index ( BMI) below 18.5 as underweight and greater than or equal to 25 as overweight ( Overweight) and has divided the severity of weight. The overweight ( Overweight) is 4 levels:

Overweight          with a body mass index of 25.0 – 29.9

Obesity          level 1 has a body mass index of 30.0 – 34.9.

Obesity          level 2 has a body mass index of 35.0 – 39.9.       

         Grade 3 obesity with a body mass index greater than 40.0      

for Thailand The BMI values ​​are as follows:

less          than 18          –>        underweight

          18 – 22.9            –> normal weight

          23 – 24.9            –> overweight

         over 25         —   > obese

But the limitation of BMI is that it can used to assess people. Who very muscular, such as athletes are not and in those who have less muscle from the elderly Therefore, BMI should not be looked at alone. You should also look at the fat mass of each person. because body weight is the total weight of all parts It does not indicate the composition of the body, so it is necessary to assess the amount of fat in the body. Some people who are very muscular You may find that the weight is more than it should be. This is because the weight of muscle is 7 times more than that of fat in the case of the same mass. and key points that we want to lose weight is to reduce excess fat without reducing muscle, bone and water

Percentage of fat means the proportion of fat in the body as a percentage. For example, a person weighing 100 kilograms is detecte with a fat mass of 30 kilograms. Indicating that the percentage of fat is 30%. Currently , bio-electrical impedance can measure using this method . It uses electrical signals to measure muscle mass and fat mass. 

The ideal body fat percentage for women should not exceed 25% and for men should not exceed 20%. Many people lose weight by looking only at their weight loss. which is a wrong reduction Because the weight lost usually comes from the muscles. or more body water than fat Therefore, the correct weight loss therefore should look at the percentage of body fat

What are the causes of obesity?

1. Heredity: Some families are found to obese, partly due to genetics. For example, people with leptin deficiency , a hormone sent to the brain, causing us to eat less. But another part may be due to the culture of eating and living. From research, it was found that if both parents were obese. The child will have a chance of being obese up to 80 percent if either parent is obese. The child will have a chance of being obese up to 40%.
2. eating habits people with bad eating habits Eat little by little without time or eating foods that are high in energy on a regular basis Especially foods that are high in fat and starch. which are often found in fast food Those who like to eat sugary foods Whether it’s sweet drinks, wine, beer, these foods are absorbed quickly. And causes the body to secrete a large amount of insulin, which causes obesity.
3. lack of exercise If you eat more than your body needs. but exercise regularly does not make you fat But many people who eat in moderation or exceed their physical needs without stretching, exercising or doing any activity. Will easily accumulate as fat in the body
4. body metabolic rate The rate of energy expenditure gradually decreases with age, and the metabolic rate also depends on gender, body shape, genetics and hormonal levels in each individual. Men have more muscles than women. The muscles will be a catalyst for burning more energy. Therefore, it is easier for women to become obese and lose weight more difficult. Hormones, for example, when the thyroid gland is underactive. The body will burn less food or the Cortisol hormone that causes the body to accumulate fat. This hormone may produce by the body itself or from bolus, anti-asthma medication, combination medication. 
5. Medications: Some medications increase appetite, such as birth control pills, antidepressants ( Tricyclic Antidepressant Phenothiazine), blood pressure medications ( Beta-Block), diabetes medications, birth control pills, or steroids.