BMI and Obesity (Cont.)

Body Mass Index (BMI)

What Are the Risks Associated With High BMI and Obesity?

Research on obesity has shown that people who are overweight or obese are at increased risk for developing a number of medical conditions, including:

High blood pressure (hypertension)
Heart disease
Stroke
High cholesterol or other lipid disorders
Type 2 diabetes
Certain cancers
Sleep apnea
Osteoarthritis
Gallbladder disease
Fatty liver disease.

If a person has a BMI higher than 30, does that mean that they are obese? Not necessarily. The BMI test does have limitations. Therefore, the doctor will consider other factors in determining whether a person with a high BMI is obese and at risk for health problems.

(Click BMI and Weight for more information on how to assess your risk for medical problems associated with obesity.)

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD

Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD

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