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Obesity - Management
How should I confirm if a person is overweight or obese?

  • Calculate the person's body mass index (BMI) by dividing their weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres. An online calculator is available at www.nhs.uk.
  • The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence classify adults as overweight or obese using their BMI:
    • Overweight — BMI of 25–29.9 kg/m2.
    • Obesity l — BMI of 30–34.9 kg/m2.
    • Obesity ll — BMI of 35–39.9 kg/m2.
    • Obesity lll — BMI of greater than or equal to 40 kg/m2.
  • Interpret BMI with caution in very muscular adults, as it is a less accurate measure of adiposity in this group.

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