Obesity: The WHO’s BMI Guidelines and Their Implications

Overweight and obesity are defined as an abnormal or excessive accumulation of body fat which can harm health, according to a definition proposed by the WHO.

BMI to classify individuals according to their overall corpulence

According to the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), “47.3 % of French adults are obese or overweight”, according to data collected in 2020 by the Odoxa survey institute. 17.4% of women would be in obesity, compared to 16.7% of men.

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To establish whether an individual is in a situation of obesity or not, the measure used is the BMI, body mass index, corresponding to the weight divided by the size square. We obtain a number, expressed in kg/m2 which will then be able to be correlated with pre -established categories. For adults:

• If the BMI is less than 18.5, the health weight is insufficient.
• If the BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, health weight does not increase health risks.
• If the BMI is between 25 and 29.9, an excess weight can cause health risks.
• If the BMI is over 30, the individual is considered by the medical profession to be in a situation of obesity. Consequently, this can potentially help develop cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure …

BMI, practical measure … but to support with additional data

BMI is a practical measure because it is worth for all adults, whatever age and sex. It is only for children under the age of five and between 5 and 19 years old that the categories change. However, the BMI is criticized because it does not take into account certain parameters. Indeed, this measure indicates the global build of an individual, but does not take into account the body composition (fatty, lean and bone masses) of the individual. According to Professor Karine Clément, Doctor of Medicine, Professor (PUPH) in the nutrition service at the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital, “A muscular rugby player will have a BMI = 30 and very little fat. It will only become a risk profile when he ceases his activity and will begin to accumulate fat”.

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According to an article published by the Foundation for Medical Research, it may therefore be necessary to complete your BMI using additional data, such as the Tour de size on hip tour or the thickness of the fatty folds. To conclude, Karine Clément also specifies that to establish the real risks of the weight of a person on her health, it is also necessary to take into account

• specificities of the individual
• genetics
• environmental factors.

Sources: Amélie, WHO