AKA:
Weighing over 20% more than our ideal weight. This means being overweight to an extent that is likely to damage our health.
Nearly one in five fifteen year olds in the UK are obese.
Official definition:
A Body Mass Index (BMI) more than 30.
What's a BMI?
BMI = our weight in kilograms, divided by our height in metres, squared. For example, if we weigh 65kg and we are 1.68 metres tall, our BMI is 65 divided by (1.68 x 1.68) = 23
<19 Underweight
20-25 Healthy
25-30 Overweight
>30 Obese
Why does it matter?
It's more than looking good on the dance floor. If we are obese we are more likely to get nasty illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. We feel depressed more often. We are more likely to suffer with arthritis. Even some cancers are linked to being obese. We'll probably die earlier than we otherwise would. It's not good news.
Why does it happen?
There is only one cause of obesity:
We eat more than we need, storing the extra calories as fat.
Sure, some of us exercise less often. And some of us come from families with obesity in the genes. But either way, it's eating food in excess of our body's needs that makes us fat.
I think I'm obese, what can I do?
We can't change our genes. But we can all eat better and exercise more. Not just so that we look and feel fabulous. But so that we stay that way: Call it taking out a Life Insurance Policy.
But I hate diets, what should I do?
Food is fabulous. No one enjoys going without. And crash diets don't work. We feel terrible during the diet: starving, weak and bad-tempered. Then the weight goes straight back on once we've stopped. So be sensible. Eat more of the right things. And less of the rubbish. Forever. Your body'll take care of the rest.
And I hate the gym, what should I do?
Not everyone is a lycra bunny. Thankfully, our body's not fussy. Work up a sweat three times a week for at least 20 minutes doing whatever you fancy.
And finally...
Go easy on yourself. Curves are gorgeous. Obsessing over food is a pain in the whatsits. Everyone should have the occasional Krispy Kreme. Plus being underweight is also risky to our health. No one is meant to look like Nicole Richie. Even Nicole Richie.
Further help and advice
Tips for healthy living
NHS Direct
Fitness
Written by Dr Melissa Sayer
Last updated 17th June 2007
Previous article
CoryLeigh, 16
im obese and i love the way i looki dont let people get down im happy the way am i and so sould other people as long as your friends and family love you then thats all that maters be yah self girls i amm xxxx
Rose, 13
My nan says it's puppy fat but im not sure. I have rolls of fat and my face is kinda plump! But because of my age, my nan says it's nothing to worry about but none of my friends seem to have it.
Shannon, 15
well i'm definitely obese, and i hate it becuase i must be about 15 stone, really bad i know, but i'm doing something about it and going to gym and even got myself a personal trainer! so if i can do it, so can others! :-)
sarah , 14
I thought i was obese. infact i am just tall for my age, thats why i weigh more thn my mates, but i went on a diet where i hardly ate anything. it wasnt worth it. just be happy with yourself, because its not what you look like, its who you are and how you show it.
Emma, 14
I thought that because i weighed more than all my friends - i was overweight but it turns out thats just because im taller than them. my bmi is 20 so im healthy! dont worry tall girls - we're longer and therefore weigh more!
Natalie, 17
I have always wanted to know by BMI, snd this was by far the easiest description. I came in the category of healthy, which males me feel better about myself, because lately all i seem to see is stick thin girls who make me feel really conscious. Thanks BBC x
Lucie, 14
I've calculated my bmi and I am a healthy weight. I eat really healthily, I'm not fat, but I'm not flat. I hate my belly. My mum keeps saying it's just puppy fat, but why is it called puppy fat if it's not fat?!
Ru, 15
I am underweight and now matter what i do i have only put on 2st in 2 years and grown about 7inches and it would be really helpful for some advice of how to gain weightbut when i am older and i am really fat i will remember what this page says 'cos it is really good XD
Lisa, 15
Well, according to this I am a healthy weight. I was surfing the net recently and found out that 4/10 american adults are obese. No offense, but i find this horrible when you think about the children in Africa (sorry to generalise) who die every 10 mins of starvation (or so my geo teacher says). Just my opinion (lol)
Mia, 14
Im not sure if I am obese, but I definatley know that I am overweight! This has really helped me advicewise. I always wanted to try a diet but I can never stick to it, because I love food! But I think if you cut something you eat regulary and try and not eat it for the rest of the week and see how you feel at the end of the week. I cut out chocolate for a whole week and felt great, but then Easter came up and there was tons of chocolate! I was powerless. Anyways Im going to measure my BMI scale now. Plus the reason I cant do any excercise at them moment is because of the weather! You cant get outside to get some fresh air because its always raining!
Ann, 13
I thought I was obese but when I did the test at the top of the page I found out I'm 22 - Healthy! I'm really thrilled and now I'm devoting myself to healthy eating - giving up chocolate bars for a rosy apple or a crunchy carrot stick. Thanks BBC you've really boosted my confidence!!!
kat, 22
When I was a teenager I was always the biggest girl in my year and it made me so unhappy but I always failed to diet. It wasn't until I learned to cook well and began to eat 3 proper meals a day and ENJOY MY FOOD that I slimmed down. It took time but I'm 4 stone lighter now and a healthy weight. Get people to support you and have patience.
bex, 15
I have been BIG for as long as I can remember and it didn't bother me I had lots of friends and was happy. But as time went on i realised that i was more than just BIG I was FAT,OBEASE! i have tried diets and I just cant stick to them it upsets me and my mum coz she hates to see me unhappy.To make it worse I recently noticed I had stretch marks om my thighs and hips. I'm only 15. But this has pushed me to lose weight and be more healthy but the marks will always be there so dont let it go to far. x
lucy, 13
im obease and i find it realy hard because every one eats loads. however i have had a blood test my chlestrol is perfect ( i dont eat rubbish) but i have a under active thiriod with means i dont burn fat
Sarah, 15
im obese but to be honest i dont really care i have great friends that are my friends because of who i am and not the size ov my waist.
Victoria, 14
this helps alot! im in the overweight slot, and often my weight holds me back, but thanks to this page its given me enough confidence to go out and eat healthier. Out of all the eating dis-order websites ive been on, this one has given me the most confidence to change my life, there is no need to crash diet or endanger your health due to your weight! enjoy your life how it is and make small changes one by one to get yourself back on track if needed! xoxo
KAYLEE, 15
I'm overweight but I eat healty and do sum exercise bt my sis eat loads more junk than me it annoys me coz she still so slim
kiki, 16
i completely ignore the BMI scale. im a size 8 and im 5ft5 yet i weigh over 10 stone. no fair. im hoping its muscle :S
saba, 14
well actualy i am a bit weight consious i know that i am bigger than most of my mates,but all my friends keep telling me im not. i know they only try to make me feel better. i dont feel confident and thats why im always quite infront of boys. my friends keep tellin me that someone likes me but i dont believe it coz im overwight, i never take a nice compliment but u always notice when someone makes a nasty suggestion
Brooklyn, 12
I am big for my age but there are girls that are bigger then me but I dont care if they are I just care if I lose this weight you helped alot thank you
Jethro, 20
Im obese and it doesnt change my life to much, just a problem for exercise.
kay, 18
i really struggle with my weight and its not at all easy keeping it off but i would never change for anyone no one should
Oli, 13
I have got a belly and im bigger than the other lads and i have tryed to loose it and eat healthier but i keep giving up and i feel bad andfat cus all ma mates eat loads ov rubbish nd they r slim, have gurlfrends nd they r happy. im trying walking, jogging and eating more healthier and now my flab (lol) is becoming loose, it hangs so i have lost abit i think but im stil big : (
Natalia, 12
I'm at a healthy weight now, but when I was a baby I was extremely obese. I was at the 99th percentile for my age. I couldn't crawl, so I had to roll around (or so I was told). I lost the baby fat in 2nd grade. My bmi now is 17.9. Note: I used a kids bmi calculator.I don't like how the media promotes that being curvy is bad. No wonder so many people suffer from eating disorders. *Sigh*
Ellie, 15
It seems Lilly didnt get the message. And I fully agree with Heather. My sister is overweight and it has been hard help her to deal with it, but hopefully now she's more healthy!
Laura, 14
I am in the overweight category, but my body doesn't bother me, i have a great family life, and great friends, i love my curves and i also love my food, i run 2 miles every day, and i still stay overweight. My best friend does no exercise, and eats nearly twice as much as me and stays thin as a pin. It's not fair, but i think that we need to stop dwelling on the things we dont like about ourselfs, and love ourselfs curvy bits and all !! x
Larissa, 12
I think im obese becuz im bigger than everyone in my year and its so embaressing and it makes me really depresssed. it makes me feel different than everybody else. Ive joined a gym and me and my auntie go power walking (lol) so hopefully i'll loose wieght.
sarah, 14
well even though i havent personally dealt with obesity i understand where people are coming from the meda put too much pressure on how we should look when really we should focus on how we want to look and the rest is plain sailing
lilly, 15
I am underweight according to this page. Yet I am still perfectly heathly person. I eat masses (more than my best friend who is nearing obesity) and I exercise loads. Just coz you are not in the 'healthy' category doesn't mean ur not georgeous (ask my boyfriend).
Heather, 17
i was obese throughout my childhood, it was really hard and i struggled to fit in and have confidence. however i have now lost 3 stone and gone from a size 18 am a healthy size 10. if you stick to a diet and excercise routine and really want to change you can.
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