About being overweight or obese

Today there are more than one billion people in the world who are overweight or obese. The definition of overweight is a BMI of 25 or above, and for obesity a BMI of 30 or higher. About 300 milion people in the world are obese. In the U.S., two thirds of adults are overweight or obese. In Sweden 2,5 million people are overweight and about 600.000 are regarded as obese.

Being overweight or obese has serious medical and psychosocial effects. For example, children who get diabetes because of their obesity, have a life that is shortened by 30 years.

Some of the most common adverse health consequences of being obese are cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, joint problems and an increased risk of getting certain forms of cancer. Apart from the purely medical risks, obesity also affects the ability to participate fully in work and engage in leisure activities. Its impact is felt in both children and adults.

Your weight: kilos
Your height: meter

BMI (Body Mass Index)

Body weight

(Body height x Body height)

Overweight:

BMI 25 – 29.9 kg/m²

Obesity:

BMI

30 kg/m²

Severe obesity:
BMI

35 kg/m²

A growing problem

Among children and teens in the western world obesity-related problems have increased dramatically in the last few decades.

To treat obesity

Our bodies are built to deal with the starvation that was prevalent until a relatively few years ago. However, the easy availability of tasty inexpensive food induces many of us to gain excessive body weight.

Are you a linear eater?

Linear eaters are not in control of their food intake and they do not slow their eating as they progress through their meal.