Underweight, Overweight, Obesity and Diet

The following terms are defined as:

Underweight:  body weight below a healthy weight; BMI below (Body Mass Index) 18.5.  Body Mass Index is an indicator of obesity or underweight, calculated by dividing the weight of a person by the square of the person’s height.

Overweight:  body weight above a healthy weight; BMI 25 to 29.9. 

Obese:  overfatness with adverse health effects, as determined by reliable measures and interpreted with good medical judgment.  Obesity is officially defined as a body mass index of 30 or higher. “Obesity has become quite common among children aged 6-11 years.  In fact, obesity increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008.”(Blackwell, W., 2010).

The health implications that each of these conditions have for our population are more people are experiencing chronic diseases.  Furthermore, these chronic diseases are happening at a much younger age and to more people.  According toour text, “In 1960, about 13 percent of U.S. adults were obese.  Today, 66 percent are overweight while about a third of the population is obese.” (Sizer & Whitney, 2012).  A few examples of these chronic diseases due to having too much body weight are: diabetes; heart disease; sleep apnea; arthritis and some known cancers.  This does not even include the increase in the costs of healthcare that is impacted by providing care for these diseases that can potentially be prevented.

Interestingly enough the United States does not have a very large problem with individuals being underweight.  This problem only affects fewer than 2 percent of the U.S. population.  However, the health risks of having too little body weight are real and dangerous and when an individual is too thin they put themselves in further jeopardy by not being able to combat any long term illnesses due to being too weak.  If they are in a hospital and need to fast for a few tests, they put their health at risk as their poor condition can quickly continue to deteriorate since they have a less than nutrient status.  Although seldom, underweight people can also be at risk for heart disease.

The way mortality is impacted by underweight and overweight status is quite simple and that is if a person is either underweight or overweight there is a risk of premature death.  The preventative measures that our society can take to prevent underweight and overweight issues are first we need to stop putting so much emphasis on unrealistic body images.  We all tend to look at beautiful models, television actors, and movie stars and then think we need to look like them.  We put unrealistic demands on ourselves based on how society views a healthy person.  We need to focus on realistic goals of what is healthy and this should be discussed with our doctors, but more importantly we need to want to be true to ourselves.  As a 5’ 1” individual with dark hair, I know that I will never look like a Charlize Theron.  But I do know that I need to have a BMI of around 21.  We also need to not make excuses for being overweight or underweight and just focus on setting the right expectations and goals while taking baby steps.  There is no quick fix to a healthy body such as surgeries, pills or fad diets.  The key is knowledge and changing behavior to promote a healthy lifestyle.   

Black-Wiley (2010, February).  Most parents don’t realize their 4 or 5 year olds are

 overweight or obese.  NewsRX Health 134.  Retrieved February 8, 2013, from

Proquest Health and Medical Complete.

Sizer, F.S. & Whitney, E. (2012). Nutrition concepts and controversies. (12th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning