Both terms have become a public health problem in several countries and many governments have been forced to sponsor some policies and measures to counteract the problem. The mortality rate associated with obesity and overweight has been increasing in recent decades. Below, we present the differences and similarities.
Overweight
It occurs when a person presents a weight increase above a reference standard for her. In general, this model considers factors such as the height, age and sex of the person being evaluated.
The reference value is the effect of dividing the person’s weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. This result will show us what is known as the BMI or the body mass index. An overweight person stipulates a body mass index value between 25 and 29.9.
Obesity
It is considered as a disease that is distinguished by weight gain due to excessive hoarding of fat in the body of a human being. When a person shows some degree of obesity, it means that the amount of fat stored in the body has increased to a point where the individual’s health is at risk.
An obese person is one who has a body mass index above 30. Obesity is associated with high calorie consumption with respect to the amount of calories that the body needs according to the geographical location in which the individual is.
There are genetic factors that influence metabolism and induce obesity in people. Obesity can be treated and prevented before it gets worse.
Difference between Overweight and Obesity in tabular form
| Overweight | Obesity |
| It is a physical state in which a person weighs more than normal, taking into account height, sex and age. | It is a disease in which an individual has excess weight and excessive fat accumulation in the body. |
| In an overweight person, not with excess weight, an increased risk of health problems is noted. | If you are an obese person, the excess weight associated with the accumulation of body fat exceeds a limit where the person’s health is put at risk. |
| An overweight person may notice symptoms such as hypertension, lower joint pain, depression, among others. | It is exposed to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, even types of cancer. |
| In general, being overweight is due to the consumption of a large amount of food that the body requires. | It is the excessive consumption of food, although the genetics of the person, stress and lifestyle, among others, can influence it. |
