Overweight

Overweight is defined as having a BMI between 25-29.9. Approximately 60% of adult men and 44% of women are overweight or obese, making it an extremely common condition. However, being overweight doesn't always mean poor health - body composition, fat distribution, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors affect health risks considerably more than the BMI number alone.

A physically active and muscular person can be overweight on the BMI scale without actual health risks. Conversely, a normal-weight but sedentary person with a high body fat percentage may be at greater risk. This is why it's important to look at the big picture when assessing overweight: waist circumference, blood pressure, blood values, and lifestyle.

The health risks of being overweight increase especially when fat accumulates around the waist. Visceral or abdominal fat is metabolically active and produces inflammation-promoting substances that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Fat accumulating in the hips and thighs is considerably less harmful to health.

The good news is that even modest weight loss produces significant health benefits. Studies show that 5-10% weight loss reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 58%, improves blood values, lowers blood pressure, and relieves joint stress. For a 90 kg person, this means a 4.5-9 kg loss - a realistic and achievable goal. Overweight is related to BMI, obesity, and waist circumference concepts.

Last updated: March 30, 2026