Normal Weight Obesity Explained

Normal weight obesity is a disturbing trend that may plague many patients. Contrary to previously held beliefs, having a low BMI does not necessarily mean that the individual has a low body fat percentage. As a matter of fact, a study performed by the Mayo Clinic indicates that those that suffer from the phenomenon of normal weight obesity are also at risk for several health disorders that are commonly associated with being overweight.

What is Normal Weight Obesity?

Normal weight obesity is when the BMI, also referred to as the body mass index is of normal values which are considered to be between 18.5 and 24.9. This value is determined by comparison of the height and weight, those deemed at a "healthy" weight will fall between these specific numbers. However, having an average or normal BMI doesn't mean that the individual is not obese. Normal weight obesity occurs when despite having a healthy weight, the patient has a high percentage of body fat. The exact percentage of body fat will depend on the sex and age of the patient, but most researcher's agree that women should have a percentage of body fat below 30 percent and men should have percentages below 20-25 percent.

Who is at Risk for Normal Weight Obesity?

Maintaining a healthy weight obviously is not enough to stave off obesity. Those at risk for normal weight obesity include the elderly, those who do not exercise on a regular basis, and those with poor nutrition, just to name a few. Many individuals that have unhealthy body fat percentages do not often realize it. Statistics show that regular strength training and cardio exercise can drastically reduce the occurrence of normal weight obesity.

How Can You Tell if You Have Normal Weight Obesity?

As previously explained, normal weight obesity occurs in individuals of healthy weight with a high body fat percentage. For years, physicians had relied on the BMI to define obese and although there are other methods to test for body fat, many of these methods may not be accurate, affordable, or very practical. The most commonly used tool to determine body fat percentage is performed by measuring fat on the arm using a caliber. However, those that are not familiar with this process can easily misinterpret results. Therefore, this should only be done by a trained health care professional.

Complications Associated With Normal Weight Obesity.

Those with normal weight obesity are at risk for the same health problems faced by those with a high body mass index. This can include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. Obesity may also increase the risk of certain types of cancers and lead to disturbances in fertility in women. These are only a few of the complications that may be associated with normal weight obesity. The health of the individual, pre-existing health conditions, and other factors can greatly influence this.

References:

Mayo Clinic. Normal Weight Obesity: An Emerging Risk Factor for Heart and Metabolic Problems. 27, March 2008. Viewed 27, March 2010. http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2008-rst/4738.html.

Weight Control Information. U. S. National Institute of Health. Understanding Adult Obesity. NIH Publication No. 06-3680. November 2008. Viewed 27, March 2010. http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/understanding.htm.