What is the key difference between overweight and obesity?

The distinction between overweight and obesity primarily revolves around the amount of body fat and its associated health risks. Obesity is characterized by a higher body fat percentage compared to being overweight, which implies that individuals classified as obese typically have an increased risk of developing various health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

In medical terms, obesity is often defined using the Body Mass Index (BMI), with a BMI greater than 30 indicating obesity, while overweight is categorized with a BMI from 25 to 29.9. This classification emphasizes that although both conditions involve excess body weight, obesity is marked by a more significant level of body fat that is linked to greater health complications.

Understanding this distinction is essential for developing effective health strategies and interventions, particularly since the management and treatment approaches may differ based on the severity of an individual’s condition.