Overweight and obesity
Regulation of body weight – nearly 2/3 of men and over ½ of women in England are now over weight or obese. The sharp rise in the prevalence of obesity can largely be attributed to decreased physical activity rather than increased food consumption.
An individual who has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of above 30 is classed as clinically obese. Individuals who have this kind of excessive BMI are putting their own health at severe risk. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, musculo-skeletal disorders, and several types of cancer (see section 4 for more details). Using the BMI calculator below, enter in the required data and work out your Body Mass Index.
BMI Categories:
- Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
- Overweight = 25-29.9
- Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater
If you would like a leaflet on exercising with specific conditions you can e-mail a request to us.