About obesity
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3 min. read
What are the causes of obesity?
Obesity is a complex disease and there are many causes of obesity. Learn some of the reasons for obesity and how they affect how obesity is managed.
Your result:
| BMI | Classification |
|---|---|
| Sub 18,5 | Underweight |
| 18,5 - 24,9 | Normal Weight |
| 25-29.9 | Overweight |
| 30-34,9 | Obesity Class I |
| 35-39,9 | Obesity Class II |
| Peste 40 | Obesity Class III |
*This BMI calculator is not applicable if you are below 20 years old. BMI is interpreted differently for children and teens, even though it is calculated using the same formula as adult BMI. Please consult with your healthcare provider for BMI information for under 20s.
Your BMI calculator results: What does it mean?
Your result: Normal weight
Your weight is within the normal BMI range.
Recommendation
The medical community recommends that you keep your weight within this range.
How BMI and Waist to Height Ratio can Help Manage Heart Health
People living with overweight, or obesity have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), also known as heart disease.
Although both BMI and Waist to Height Ratio (WHtR) can be used to assess a person’s risk of developing CVD, WHtR is considered to be a stronger predictor of cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
BMI is used to indicate a person’s weight category, based on their height and weight. WHtR, on the other hand, is used to measure the distribution of a person’s body fat, based on their height and waist circumference. Measuring WHtR is important, as an excess level of fat stored around the abdomen, in particular, is associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease.
Knowing both your BMI and WHtR can help you to improve your heart health by understanding whether action should be taken to manage your weight.
References
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- Sharon, A. (2024) 11 signs that you’re not eating enough, Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/signs-of-not-eating-enough#skin-problems
- Rueda-Clausen, C F et al, “Assessment of People Living with Obesity,” Can. Adult Obes. Clin. Pract. Guidel., pp. 1–17, 2020.Available: http://obesitycanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/6-Obesity-Assessment-v5-with-links.pdf.
- Durrer Schutz, D. et al. (2019) ‘European practical and patient-centred guidelines for adult obesity management in Primary Care’, Obesity Facts, 12(1), pp. 40–66. doi:10.1159/000496183.
- Garvey, W T et al, “American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for medical care of patients with obesity.” Endocrine Practice 2016;22:1–203. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4158/EP161365.GL
- Prevention -Coronary heart disease (2024) NHS choices. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronary-heart-disease/prevention/
- Liu, Leiling et al. (2025) Safety and effects of anti-obesity medications on weight loss, cardiometabolic, and psychological outcomes in people living with overweight or obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.103020
- Health risks of Overweight & obesity (2023) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/adult-overweight-obesity/health-risks
- Kirk SFL, Ramos Salas X, Alberga AS, Russell-Mayhew S. Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines: Reducing Weight Bias in Obesity Management, Practice and Policy. Available from: https://obesitycanada.ca/guidelines/weightbias
- Factors affecting weight & health - NIDDK (2023) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/adult-overweight-obesity/factors-affecting-weight-health
- Estruch R & Ros E. The role of the Mediterranean diet on weight loss and obesity-related diseases. Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders 2020; 21:315–327.
- Sanders LM et al. Effects of Whole Grain Intake, Compared with Refined Grain, on Appetite and Energy Intake: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Advances in Nutrition 2021; 30;12(4):1177-1195.
- Xu, Y. et al. (2024) ‘Relationship of vegetarianism with body weight loss and ASCVD’, Frontiers in Nutrition, 11. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1419743.
- Mayo Clinic. Weight loss: Gain control of emotional eating. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/basics/weightloss-basics/hlv-20049483
- van der Valk ES, Savas M, van Rossum EFC. Stress and Obesity: Are There More Susceptible Individuals? Curr Obes Rep. 2018 Jun;7(2):193-203. doi: 10.1007/s13679-018-0306-y
- Calculating your calories burned (2024) Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/exercise/art-20050999
- Ong J, Chirinos D & Yap B. Relationship Between Sleep Health and Your Weight: https://www.obesityaction.org/community/article-library/the-relationship-between-sleep-health-and-your-weight/
- NHS. How to get good sleep: Sleep and Tiredness: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/how-to-get-to-sleep/
- Powell-Wiley, T.M. et al. (2021) ‘Obesity and cardiovascular disease: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association’, Circulation, 143(21). doi:10.1161/cir.0000000000000973.
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- Eating & physical activity to lose or maintain weight - NIDDK (2023) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/adult-overweight-obesity/eating-physical-activity.
- Ashwell, Margaret. (2011). Charts Based on Body Mass Index and Waist-to-Height Ratio to Assess the Health Risks of Obesity: A Review. The Open Obesity Journal. 311. 78-84. 10.2174/1876823701103010078.
ZA25OB00225, June 2025
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