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The medical definition of "overweight" is pretty broad, and may include some people you wouldn't think of that way at a glance. But yeah, it's pretty bad. Edit

The medical definition of "overweight" is pretty broad, and may include some people you wouldn't think of that way at a glance. But yeah, it's pretty bad. Edit: Completely baffled why people are downvoting this.

Tempest1981 8y ago
I read your comment as “yeah but those stats are only 80-90% accurate”. (I didn’t downvote it)
- soundwave106 8y ago
  BMI is a measurement. The ill effects of obese BMI on health is pretty much settled. The main thing I know there's been some recent controversy regarding the health risks of the edge cases of the "overweight" category. (https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-being-a-little-overweight-ok-bmi-controversy-1746304 https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-being-a-little-overweight-...). My best guess is that your edge cases are going to come from people who are slightly overweight but still exercising regularly and have an overall healthy diet (as this WebMD page implies -- https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/can-you-be-fit-fat#1 https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/can-you-be-fit-fat#1). These people may be healthier overall than someone in the "normal" range with a bad diet and sedentary lifestyle. Best guess is that this is not the majority of overweight people, though... Exercise statistics in the US are pretty dismal. (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-80-percent-of-american-adults-dont-get-recommended-exercise/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-80-percent-of-american-adul...).
adrianN 8y ago
The US must be a nation of body builders if 70% overweight doesn't mean >65% too fat.
- PhasmaFelis 8y ago
  I just meant that mildly overweight people wearing well-fitting clothes may not "read" as overweight to the casual observer. Some people think "overweight" means "obese," which makes the 70% figure more startling. It's still a major national health issue.
- hfdgiutdryg 8y ago
  The average American male seems to carry more upper body muscle mass than, say, your average Indian male. You don't have to look like Schwarzenegger or The Rock to find yourself bumping up against the general guideline numbers.
  - adrianN 8y ago
    You have to look like a body builder if you want to to bump against the guideline numbers while having a reasonably low body fat percentage.
    - hfdgiutdryg 8y ago
      No you don't. I'm 6'2", 200, 15 - 17% body fat, and my BMI is too high. I'm only moderately active (no gym time, just active or laborious hobbies).

Tempest1981 8y ago

I read your comment as “yeah but those stats are only 80-90% accurate”. (I didn’t downvote it)

soundwave106 8y ago
BMI is a measurement. The ill effects of obese BMI on health is pretty much settled. The main thing I know there's been some recent controversy regarding the health risks of the edge cases of the "overweight" category. (https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-being-a-little-overweight-ok-bmi-controversy-1746304 https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-being-a-little-overweight-...). My best guess is that your edge cases are going to come from people who are slightly overweight but still exercising regularly and have an overall healthy diet (as this WebMD page implies -- https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/can-you-be-fit-fat#1 https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/can-you-be-fit-fat#1). These people may be healthier overall than someone in the "normal" range with a bad diet and sedentary lifestyle. Best guess is that this is not the majority of overweight people, though... Exercise statistics in the US are pretty dismal. (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-80-percent-of-american-adults-dont-get-recommended-exercise/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-80-percent-of-american-adul...).

adrianN 8y ago

The US must be a nation of body builders if 70% overweight doesn't mean >65% too fat.

PhasmaFelis 8y ago
I just meant that mildly overweight people wearing well-fitting clothes may not "read" as overweight to the casual observer. Some people think "overweight" means "obese," which makes the 70% figure more startling. It's still a major national health issue.
hfdgiutdryg 8y ago
The average American male seems to carry more upper body muscle mass than, say, your average Indian male. You don't have to look like Schwarzenegger or The Rock to find yourself bumping up against the general guideline numbers.
- adrianN 8y ago
  You have to look like a body builder if you want to to bump against the guideline numbers while having a reasonably low body fat percentage.
  - hfdgiutdryg 8y ago
    No you don't. I'm 6'2", 200, 15 - 17% body fat, and my BMI is too high. I'm only moderately active (no gym time, just active or laborious hobbies).