Over the recent years rates of overweight and obesity are escalating rapidly to epidemic proportion in many parts of the world reflecting increasing consumption of high energy diets rich in fats and sugars, compounded by declining levels of physical activity.

Obesity can be defined by BMI (Body Mass Index)

BMI= Weight in kilogram

Height in (Metre)2

Since Asian population is more susceptible to health risks of central obesity regardless of BMI, there is an increasing focus in measuring waist circumference, which can predict individual risk more accurately than BMI, however experts from different scientific bodies including WHO have recommended obesity cut-off for Asians to be as follows:

BMI (kg/m2)

Normal: 20-23

Overweight:  >23

Obese: >25

Body Fat Distribution

1) Waist hip ratio

Most people store their body fat in two distinct ways:

(a) Around middle (apple shape)

(b) Around hips (pear shape).

Being apple shape (more fat around the waist) places them in higher risk category than the pear shaped (carrying more fat on hips). The measure of the two is called waist hip ratio (WHR).

WHR (men) = 0.89

WHR (women) = 0.81

- Waist measure below the rib cage above the naval.

- Hip measure at its maximum.

2) Waist circumference

Waist circumference is another quick measure to determine obesity.

Normal range

Men: 85 cm

Women: 80 cm

Healthy Cut-offs

BMI = < 23 kg/m2

WHR = Men: < 0.89

Women: < 0.81

WC = Men: 85 cm

Women: 80 cm

3) Percentage of body fat

As one grows older, some muscle mass is lost and percentage of body fat increases, thus slowing down the metabolism, but physical activity can burn more calories and maintain muscle mass to a greater extent. Physical activity also keeps tone of muscles and decreases the risk of osteoporosis.

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