How is overweight diagnosed?

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    Last Updated: October 13, 2024

    Overweight is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9 kilograms per meters squared (kg/m2); a person’s BMI is calculated by dividing their weight by the square of their height. More specifically, a person with:[1]

    • A BMI of <18.5 is “underweight”
    • A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is “normal weight”
    • A BMI of 25 to 29.9 has “overweight”
    • A BMI of 30 to 34.9 has “class I obesity”
    • A BMI of 35 to 39.9 has “class II obesity”
    • A BMI of >40 has “class III obesity”