BMI Calculator for Obese People

BMI Calculator and Obesity

BMI is calculated by dividing your weight (in kilograms) by the square of your height (in meters). The normal BMI range is between 18.5 and 24.9 If you have a BMI of 30 or above, you fall into the obesity category. Use the below BMI formula for manual calculation:

BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m²)

Let us now see how BMI and obesity are related. A higher BMI indicates that you likely have higher body fat deposition, which puts more pressure on the organs, potentially hampering their functioning. As the BMI increases, so does the risk of severe chronic illnesses.

This can lead to an increased risk of various health issues, including high blood pressure, heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, stroke, kidney problems, poor reproductive health and fatty liver. Hence, obese people must regularly use a medical BMI calculator for better weight management.

The BMI calculator for obese is a means to check the level of obesity a person has. After using the BMI formula and comparing it with the BMI range specified by the World Health Organisation (WHO), you can determine your obesity class.

It is to be noted that despite the BMI for men and women being the same, their obesity level and associated health risks can differ from one another, as their fat proportions and body mechanisms differ. Also, the BMI for children is calculated differently from that of adults, hence their obese classification differs too.

Different Types of Obesity Classification per BMI

Obesity in adults is classified into three different categories according to its severity. It is crucial to understand what obesity classes mean for your body and health. Below are the three obesity classes based on the BMI range:

Weight Class

BMI Range

Obese Class 1

BMI between 30 to 34.9

Obese Class 2

BMI between 35 to 39.9

Obese Class 3

BMI over 40

You must also remember that there is a difference between BMI for overweight people and those with obesity. Overweight individuals have a BMI between 25 and 29.9. A BMI of 30 indicates a transition into the obese category. However, reducing BMI naturally is possible even at this stage with adequate efforts.

The severity of health risks and chances of comorbidities increase with obesity class. Comorbidities are health conditions where two or more diseases coexist simultaneously. Class 3 (a BMI of 40 or higher) is the most severe obesity category, where individuals can even be at risk of premature death.

Obese Class 1A BMI from 30 to 34.9 is categorised into Obese Class 1, and is the least severe of all. Although health risks are mild here, it serves as a trigger for rising health problems. You can reverse or control your obesity at this stage by adjusting your eating habits, exercise schedule and sleep patterns.

Obese Class 2The BMI for Obese Class 2 ranges between 35 and 39.9. It is riskier than Obese Class 1 but less severe than Obese Class 3. At this stage, health risks as well as their symptoms become more prominent. You may need to consult a healthcare practitioner for professional advice, in addition to making lifestyle changes.

Obese Class 3Obese Class 3 is categorised with a BMI of 40 and above. It is the riskiest of all obese categories, with the highest mortality rate.

How Does Obesity Impact Your Health?

Obese people usually (though not necessarily) suffer from a combination of health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. This is because a larger body means that the organs have to work harder to perform their normal functions.

For example, high blood pressure is a significantly more common health issue found in obese people than in people of normal weight. This is because the heart of an obese person usually has to pump blood harder to make it reach all body parts, resulting in high blood pressure. Higher BP often puts you at a higher risk of heart disease.

Obesity can develop or worsen several health conditions, including the following:

Hypertension

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Heart failure

Atrial fibrillation

Pulmonary embolism

Strokes

Chronic kidney disease

Gout

Fatty liver disease

Biliary calculus

Obstructive sleep apnea

Asthma

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Osteoarthritis

How to Manage Obesity?

The BMI calculator for obese is significant to constantly track the weight. Losing weight in a consistent, safe manner can help lower your BMI and change your obesity class, thus helping to lower associated health risks. Remember to start with small, realistic goals to ensure you get results. Eating healthy, exercising, and regulating your hormones are key factors if you want to lose weight.

For severe obesity treatment, you may have to get rigorously involved in a weight loss program with an expert health advisor. Depending on severity, the doctor may even advise for bariatric surgery for weight loss. The good part is that many health insurance plans now cover the bariatric surgery cost if it is being done on a doctor's advice. Hence, you can focus just on your treatment without worrying much about the financial obligations.

FAQs

Q1. How to calculate BMI for obese?

Ans: The BMI formula is the same for obese people as it is for everyone else. It is calculated by dividing weight (in kilograms) by the square of height (in meters). The BMI for obesity is categorised as 30 and above.
Q2. What are the new guidelines for obesity?

Ans: Recently, new guidelines have been proposed to overcome the traditional BMI limitations as published in The Lancet, a globally-renowned medical journal. The new definition also takes into consideration anthropometric measures, screening tools that directly measure body fat, like the waist-to-hip ratio. According to the new definition of obesity, you are considered obese if you have a high BMI with at least 1 elevated anthropometric measure or if you have at least 2 elevated anthropometric measures.
Q3. What is class 3 obesity?

Ans: Class 3 obesity refers to the most severe category of obesity, characterised by a BMI of 40 or higher. It is associated with a significantly high risk of health problems and elevated rates of mortality.
Q4. What is the BMI criteria for obesity in India?

Ans: According to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), a BMI of 26 and above is a marker for obesity in India. Also, men with a waist circumference of more than 90 cm and women with a waist circumference of more than 80 cm are also considered obese.
Q5. What weight is dangerously obese?

Ans: A BMI of 40 and above is considered to be dangerously obese. It is often termed as morbid obesity and has the highest severity.
Q6. Is surgery needed for class 3 obesity?

Ans: Surgery is not always needed for class 3 obesity. However, it is often recommended if no other way to reduce weight is yielding results or is deemed medically necessary.

FAQs

Q1. How to calculate BMI for obese?

Q2. What are the new guidelines for obesity?

Q3. What is class 3 obesity?

Q4. What is the BMI criteria for obesity in India?

Q5. What weight is dangerously obese?

Q6. Is surgery needed for class 3 obesity?