Obesity vs Overweight: Key Differences, BMI Guide & Treatment Approaches

 

Overweight is a body mass index of 25 to 29.9 kg/m2. To be obese, you must have a BMI of 30.0 or greater. People with a normal BMI range between 18.5 and 24.9.

 

People with a BMI of 40.0 or higher are considered morbidly obese. This cutpoint identifies patients who may be eligible for bariatric surgery according to national guidelines.

 

BMI or weight alone is not enough to understand or identify obesity. But BMI and weight do have one major thing in common. Experts are now seeking more accurate indicators of obesity and effective methods to combat it beyond BMI alone.

 

BMI Classification

BMI Range	Classification
18.5 – 24.9	Normal weight
25.0 – 29.9	Overweight
30.0 – 39.9	Obese
40.0 or higher	Morbidly obese

 

 

Obesity is a complicated disease, with factors such as genetics, diet, environment, and lack of exercise. It is challenging to determine the exact number of different types of obesity, but it is known that there are more than one.

 

For example, you can be overweight and healthy. For example, most people who are overweight don't have chronic diseases like diabetes or heart disease, but that puts them at a higher risk for developing those conditions over time.

 

With over 25 genes tied to obesity, it makes sense that there would be many different types of obesity. One of the genes identified as playing a definite role in obesity is the FTO gene. Still, other genes have also been discovered to have ties to it. Scientists have found evidence that there's a genetic link to binge eating.

 

Six different types of obesity have been documented by one study. Researchers looked at data collected from the Yorkshire Health Study between 2010 and 2012.

 

In total, surveys were collected from 27,806 people by their general practitioners. 4,144 of them, having a BMI of 30 or higher, are considered medically obese.

 

Obesity Subtype	Description
Physically ill but happy elderly	Older adults with physical conditions but good mental health
Unhappy, anxious middle-aged	Poor mental health, likely to suffer chronic stress
“Heavy drinking” males	Obesity linked to alcohol consumption
Young, healthy females	High BMI but otherwise excellent health
Poorest health group	Multiple chronic conditions and lowest quality of life
Affluent, healthy elderly	Older, well-off individuals with stable health

 

The survey posed questions about the respondents' age, sex, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and health conditions. They also investigated the health-related quality of life of the survey respondents. Subjects were also queried on other factors such as smoking status, physical activity, and alcohol consumption.

 

This information enabled the researchers to subdivide a population of obese individuals, creating six subgroups of individuals classified as obese by their BMIs. They are as follows:

 

● Physically ill but happy elderly

● Unhappy, anxious middle-aged

● "Heavy drinking" males

● Young, healthy females

● Those with the poorest health

● Affluent, healthy elderly

 

When one group studied hundreds of adults who were obese, they determined that the most crucial variable for their study recognised that different people have different kinds of obesity, so applying the same kind of treatment to all of them isn't likely to be effective.

 

In other words, for example, heavy drinking (of alcohol) may be the cause of obesity in the group of males mentioned. If that is the case, alcohol intake should be treated as a target in a plan to combat obesity.

 

One intervention would not apply to the different reasons of the second subgroup of women who are obese and are relatively healthy. They would need a different kind of intervention and so on down the list.

 

Incidentally, the largest of the six subgroups was the second one- young, healthy females. These women drank less alcohol than the people in the other groups and had outstanding quality-of-life scores.

 

 

Recognising that different types of obesity may require weight loss strategies that vary from one another.

 

Obese patients may be too familiar with the following reality: they may have already attempted a few or several different weight loss methods. Many rely on what friends or a physician recommend for them. However, perhaps it didn't work for you, even though you wanted it to.

 

Instead of feeling bad that you can't lose weight, now you can take comfort in knowing that different types of obesity exist. It's not your fault that the things that work for someone else might not work for you.

 

Different types of obesity require individualised approaches to weight loss.

 

Obese people are likely well aware of the reality that they may have already tried several different weight loss programs. Not only does that make many people believe a physician or a friend regarding medical opinions, but it doesn't always work even if you were hoping it would.

 

Even if you can't shed the pounds, there's hope. Scientists have identified various types of obesity, and what works for one person may not work for another.

 

They all say a good diet is essential, so stick to one. Eating healthy combats not only obesity but also lowers your risk for other serious diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Healthy eating is critical for longevity.

 

Staying active (whether or not you're losing weight) has positive long-term effects by lowering your risk of specific health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other chronic illnesses.

 

Don't forget the importance of a good night's sleep, which has increasingly been recognised as the key to a whole host of health-preserving benefits. It can aid in weight loss, prevent weight gain, and help individuals cope better with stress. Not only does adequate sleep help the brain process information, but it is also essential for protecting against heart disease.

 

That is to say, take care of yourself first, and the rest will follow. If you are serious about losing weight and need professional assistance, feel free to contact one of our doctors at weightlosscoach.eu

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Obesity vs Overweight

 

What is the main difference between overweight and obesity?

Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25.0–29.9, while obesity begins at 30.0 or higher.

Can someone be overweight and still be healthy?

Yes. Many overweight individuals show no signs of chronic disease, but they are still at increased long-term risk.

Are there different types of obesity?

Yes. Obesity can be influenced by genetics, alcohol use, mental health, hormonal imbalances, or other lifestyle factors, each requiring different treatment.

Is BMI a reliable measure of health?

BMI is a screening tool, but it doesn’t take into account muscle mass, fat distribution, or underlying health conditions. Other metrics like waist circumference or body fat % are often more useful.

Why don’t weight loss programs work for everyone?

Generic programs ignore personal health history, psychology, and the root cause of obesity. Personalised approaches work better long term.

Can mental health issues contribute to obesity?

Absolutely. Stress, anxiety, and depression can lead to emotional eating or altered metabolism, making weight management more difficult.

 

Our team will help you achieve your weight loss goals and provide personalised treatment tailored to your body's specific needs.