Types of obesity

Obesity is described in several ways. The type affects risk and the care plan.

By BMI (Asian cut-offs are lower)

• Overweight: BMI of about 23 to 24.9 in Asian adults
• Class 1 obesity: about 25 to 29.9
• Class 2 obesity: about 30 to 34.9
• Class 3 (severe) obesity: 35 and above, or 40 and above in global classification

By where fat is stored

• Central or abdominal (apple-shaped): fat around the belly and organs. This carries higher risk of diabetes and heart disease.
• Peripheral (pear-shaped): fat on the hips and thighs, with lower metabolic risk
• Visceral obesity: deep belly fat around organs

"Thin outside, fat inside"

Many South Asians have a normal BMI but high body fat and belly fat, with higher risk of diabetes.

By cause

• Primary obesity: from lifestyle, genes and environment
• Secondary obesity: from conditions such as hypothyroidism, PCOS, Cushing syndrome or from medicines
• Genetic or syndromic obesity: rare, often starting in early childhood

By age

Childhood obesity, adult obesity and obesity in older adults, where muscle loss can hide fat.

Ayurvedic view

Sthaulya is described by Dosha and tissue involvement. These groups do not map exactly to modern types.

Remember

A doctor looks at waist, blood tests and other conditions, not just BMI, to find the type and risks.

When to get help

See a doctor if you are gaining weight steadily, have a large waist or have symptoms such as breathlessness, snoring, joint pain or excessive thirst. Avoid crash diets, slimming teas and fat-burner products, and do not give herbs, supplements or weight-loss plans to children or teens without a paediatrician's advice. In an emergency call 112 or 102.