Obesity is a word that we hear a lot in the media, but many of us are unclear on what exactly this word means. We all know that obesity refers to being overweight and carrying excess fat, but some of us tend to underestimate how much fat it takes to make a person obese, while others will overestimate it. If you are considering bariatric surgery in London, you will need to meet the medical definition of obesity.

Defining Obesity With BMI

Obesity is generally defined in terms of your Body Mass Index or BMI. Your BMI is therefore one of the most important factors used to assess your eligibility for bariatric surgery in London. You will only be able to have a weight loss procedure if you have a BMI in the right range. A BMI of between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight, but not obese. A BMI of 30 to 39.9 is obese, and a BMI of 40 or more is severely obese. If you have a BMI over 30 you may be at higher risk of developing problems such as diabetes and heart disease.

Other Measures of Obesity

However, your BMI doesn’t always tell the whole story. For example, it is possible to be healthy with a larger BMI than normal if you have a lot of muscle. This is why your BMI alone will not be used to diagnose you with obesity. The doctor will also look at other aspects of your health, such as your waist circumference. A circumference of more than 31.5 inches for a woman and 37 inches for a man is considered large. It can indicate an increased risk of obesity-linked conditions. If there are any signs that you are developing health problems linked to your weight, the doctor may recommend having bariatric surgery in London even if your BMI and waist circumference are at the lower end of the obese range.