Although the consensus on overweight definition is body mass index (BMI: computed as weight/height2) >= 25 kg/m2, the criteria for Asian people may be different.
A new proposal suggested that for Asian people, BMI >= 23.0 Kg/m2 would be an appropriate cut-off for overweight. Furthermore, the more physiologically hazardous central obesity is defined as waist circumference >=90 cm for men and >=80 for women, while among white population, the cut-off points are 102 cm for men and 88 cm for men.
The ethnically defined criteria are by no means to differentiate people. Instead, they are more appropriate to measure the obesity and to compare the obesity prevalence among populations. The new criteria are based on physiological effects of body fatness. For example, given the same BMI, Asian people have more percent of body fat than Whites.
So what’s next?
Exercise and control your diet to increase your energy expenditure and reduce energy intake. No other solution.
|