HomeMeasuring ObesityMeasuring Obesity Delhi Noida

As per the guidelines of WHO, a BMI below 18.5 is underweight and that up to 22.5 is considered as normal. A BMI ranging from 22.6 to 27.5 is overweight and above 27.6 is classified as obese, which is further subdivided into three subclasses. From 27.6 to 32.5 as obese class 1, from 32.6 to 37.5 as obese class 2 and 37.6 to 49.9 as obese class 3. If the BMI reaches 50, the individual falls in the category of super obese.

Waist to Hip Ratio

Simply known as WHR is a dimensionless ratio as it is the direct correlation between the circumferential measurements of the waist to that of the hips. WHR is an indicator to measure the chances of developing health issues related to excessive body weight. This indicator is often correlated with fertility as well.

However, unlike the BMI, it does not have several classifications and a different range of both genders.

The Waist to Hip ratio is very helpful as it tells about the exact body fat distribution in the body and helps to determine whether an individual is having the apple shaped body with excessive weight deposited around the waist or pear-shaped body with the excessive weight spread around the hips.

Neck Circumference

Though it is not as widely used as the two mentioned above, but neck circumference is yet another measure of deposition of adipose tissue in the body. It is measured from between the mid-anterior neck and the mid-cervical spine, using a non-stretchable tape. For men, it is much easier to estimate by holding the tape across Adam’s apple. For women, it has to be done a bit more carefully and has to be placed just below the larynx.

As a word of caution, the individual must look straight ahead, keeping the shoulders down and without hunching in order to get the correct measurement. Though there is no exact range to classify being overweight or obese, it has been found that a neck circumference of about 40 cm in case of men and about 35 cm in case of women is usually considered as a sign of potential obesity and should be considered as a threat.

People who are obese, irrespective of its sub-category, should definitely consult for bariatric surgery, as it is a feasible way to treat obesity for them. The people who are overweight but yet, come across many obesity-associated conditions such as joint pain or fatigue and so on, should also consider getting some suitable obesity treatment.