obesity

Introduction

obesity, condition resulting from excessive storage of fat in the body. Obesity is now usually defined using a formula known as the body mass index (BMI), in which weight (in kilograms) is divided by height (in meters) squared. A person with a BMI of 25 or above is generally considered overweight; with one of 30 or above, obese. It has been estimated that roughly two thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, and that more than a third are obese.

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