Normal Weight Obesity: A Real Health Risk
Key points
- “The definition of obesity is having excess fat, not excess weight,” says Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D., Mayo Clinic cardiologist, in the September issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource.
- Lopez-Jimenez was the lead researcher in a Mayo Clinic study that found more than half of Americans who are considered normal weight have high levels of body fat.
- Typically, obesity is determined by calculating body mass index (BMI) using height and weight.
- The calculation of body fat determines how many pounds of body weight correspond to fat.
Normal weight obesity isn’t an oxymoron.
“The definition of obesity is having excess fat, not excess weight,” says Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D., Mayo Clinic cardiologist, in the September issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource.
Dr. Lopez-Jimenez was the lead researcher in a Mayo Clinic study that found more than half of Americans who are considered normal weight have high levels of body fat. Women with more than 30 percent body fat and men with more than 20 percent are considered obese, even if they have a normal body mass index.
Typically, obesity is determined by calculating body mass index (BMI) using height and weight. “This makes a lot of sense on the surface because people with excess weight for their height often are at high risk of health problems, but it doesn’t tell the whole story,” says Dr. Lopez-Jimenez.
The calculation of body fat determines how many pounds of body weight correspond to fat. The most common technique to measure body fat is bioimpedance, a method that uses an electrical current to look at body composition. These measurement devices are available at many fitness centers and some clinics.
The Mayo Clinic study, which looked at 2,127 people with normal BMI levels, found that those who had the highest body fat were at increased risk of high blood pressure, high levels of triglycerides (a type of blood fat) and abnormal cholesterol levels and insulin resistance. These metabolic abnormalities significantly increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Another way to determine an unhealthy level of body fat is by measuring your waist. In women, a waist measurement of 35 inches or more indicates an increased risk of developing obesity-related health problems.
The solution to excess body fat, even for those of normal weight, is to exercise more and eat a healthier diet.
Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to support medical research at Mayo Clinic.
Source: Mayo Clinic
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
Explore health topics
More in this topic
Weight & Nutrition →
NewsObesity Epidemic Needs Government Rules: NYC Health Chief
Governments should regulate food companies on unhealthy ingredients in products that contribute to obesity, an epidemic that now affects 1-in-3 Americans and costs the U.S. $150 billion a year, said New York City Health…
19 September 2012
NewsObesity in Massachusetts, and related health costs, could rise dramatically, report finds
The number of obese adults in Massachusetts, along with related diseases and health care costs, could rise dramatically over the next two decades if actions aren’t taken now to change the trend, according to a new…
19 September 2012
NewsObesity study focuses on healthy nutrition in group homes
For people with developmental disabilities, particularly those who live in a community group home, the prevalence of obesity can be significantly higher than in the general population. That’s why researchers from…
