Being overweight does not necessarily mean you are also obese. Although both mean you weigh more than you should according to standard weight-to-height ratios, obesity takes the amount of body fat you carry into consideration rather than just your total weight. This is why you need to think beyond the bathroom scale and find alternative methods to measure body fat percentage.
Identification
Both body mass index and waist circumference are important ways to identify obesity. Because each has a different focus, the The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute advises medical professionals to use both in patient assessments. You can use body mass index to assess total body fat content and waist circumference to assess body fat content specifically in the abdominal area, where the risk of developing health problems relating to obesity is greater.
BMI
Using BMI to calculate body fat percentage is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to determine your overall level of body fat. Research experts often use BMI calculations to identify weight trends in specific groups or general populations. You and your doctor can use it as a comparison tool to see how your level of body fat compares to a group or population and as a screening tool to see if your level of body fat requires further attention. To calculate your BMI you need both your current weight and height in inches. The formula is weight x 703/height/height. For example if you currently weigh 140 lbs. and you are 59 inches tall, your BMI is 28.3. Compare this to standard tables that identify a BMI of below 18.5 as too little body fat, a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 as a normal level of body fat, a BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 as overweight and a BMI over 30.0 as obese. In this case, a BMI of 28.3 places you in the overweight category.
Waist Circumference
If you have a BMI greater than 25.0, the more body fat you carry around your waist, the greater the chance you will develop health problems relating to obesity. This is because abdominal fat is a combination of both subcutaneous and visceral fat. Subcutaneous fat, or fat that deposits between your skin and abdominal wall, is dangerous because it may contribute to insulin resistance. Visceral fat surrounds body organs and because these cells are biologically active, they can secrete hormones and other chemicals that disrupt normal hormone functions. A waist circumference of greater than 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women, regardless of age, is cause for concern.
Considerations
If you choose to take these measurements at home, make sure to share them with your doctor. This is especially important if your measurements place you in a high-risk category. The health risks relating to overweight and obesity are real and require both your attention and an action plan to lose excess body fat and weight.
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