Definition

Obesity is an abnormal accumulation of body fat, usually 20 percent or more over an individual's ideal body weight. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of illness, disability, and death.

Description

Medical researchers have developed charts showing a person's ideal body weight. Ideal body weight means the weight a person should be in order to maintain good health. Ideal body weight depends primarily on three factors: gender, age, and height.

A person is said to be obese if his or her body weight is at least 20 percent more than his or her ideal weight. A range of 20 percent to 40 percent overweight is regarded as mild obesity; 40 percent to 100 percent overweight is regarded as moderate obesity; and more than 100 percent overweight is regarded as severe obesity. Severe obesity is also called morbid obesity. The term "morbid" is used for conditions that can lead to death. A person more...