Overweight and Obesity are characterized by having excess fat that results from a positive energy balance of taking in too many calories and not expending them through physical activity.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) regards obesity as a chronic disease developed from a person’s:
• Genetic makeup
• Environment
• Physical inactivity and dietary habits
Excess weight gain manifests its health risks during adulthood that contributes to several chronic but reversible diseases.
• Hypertension
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Coronary Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Osteoarthritis
• Cancers of the prostate, breasts, and colon
Classification of BMI
| Obesity Class | BMI (kg/m²) | |
| Underweight | - | < 18.5 |
| Normal | - | 18.5 - 24.9 |
| Overweight | - | 25.0 - 29.9 |
| Obese | I | 30.0 – 34.9 |
| II | 35.0 – 39.9 | |
| Extreme Obesity | III | > 40 |
