A healthy body is a healthy mind. If you are underweight or overweight, it is possible that you might be suffering from depression, which may lead to serious health problems. Obesity is a problem that affects many people in the world today. Obesity increases the risk of several diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. In this article, we will try to understand the difference between being overweight and obese.
Summary Table
| Overweight | Obese |
| You are at the borderline of obesity | You have crossed the line |
| Your BMI is higher than 25 | Your BMI is over 30 |
| Your body composition is better | Your body fat is more prominent |
What is Being Overweight?
A healthy body is measured by its mass. The body weight is the measure of the total amount of fat and water that is stored in the body.
The standard for healthy weight ranges from under-weight to overweight and obese. If a person has more than what is considered healthy, it is called being overweight. A person who is underweight is generally defined as having less than 12-13% body fat while an individual who has a higher body fat percentage would be described as being obese.
If you are overweight, you will most likely notice that your health is affected by your weight; this means that you will have to exercise regularly to stay fit and healthy. It also means that you will have to follow a strict diet in order to lose weight and keep it off permanently.
What is Being Obese?
Obesity is a condition that is associated with increased risk of many health problems. It is a medical condition which is characterized by excessive body fat. The term “obesity” refers to a body mass index (BMI) over 30. The word “overweight” refers to a BMI between 25 and 30, while “normal weight” refers to a BMI between 18.5 and 25.
There are two ways of defining obesity: one is through the body mass index (BMI), which measures the amount of fat in relation to height, and the other is through self-reporting on body shape and weight as determined by scales, weighing machines or bio-impedance methods.
The Similarities Between Being Overweight and Being Obese
Being overweight and being obese are similar in many ways. When you are overweight, you are said to have excess body fat, just like how being obese is also characterized by excess body fat. Both are unhealthy and carry health risks, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Being Overweight VS Being Obese
The differences between being overweight and being obese are as follow:
The benchmark
When you are overweight, you are at the borderline of obesity. You are a bit heavier than you should be. However, when you are being obese, you have crossed the line and can no longer be considered overweight. You are too heavy for your body frame and not healthy anymore.
BMI and Body Mass Index (BMI)
BMI is a unit used to measure body fat and mass. It’s computed by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. When you are overweight, your BMI is higher than 25. However, when you are being obese, your BMI is over 30.
Body Composition
When you are overweight, your body composition is better. Your body fat is more even and not too much of it. When you are obese, your body fat is more prominent. Your body composition is not as good.
