1. Measuring Obesity
临床医学（八年制） 周晛

2. The Body Mass Index (BMI)
Weight (kg)
Strengths
BMI=
Height2(m2)
Easy to measure
Inexpensive
Well-acknowledged
BMI
Classification
< 18.5
Underweight
Normal weight
Overweight
Moderately obese
Severely obese
≥ 40.0
Very severely obese

3. Height: 2.09m Weight: 113kg BMI: 27.4 Height: 1.75m Weight: 110kg
Classification
< 18.5
Underweight
Normal weight
Overweight
Moderately obese
Severely obese
≥ 40.0
Very severely obese
Height: 2.09m
Weight: 113kg
BMI: 27.4
Height: 1.75m
Weight: 110kg
BMI: 35.9

4. The Body Mass Index (BMI)
Limitations
Unable to distinguish between body fat and body mass
Not suitable for athletes and the elderly

5. Waist-to-hip Ratio (WHR)
Limitations
More prone to measurement error
Not always consistent with BMI
WHR
Women
< 0.8
Men
< 0.95

6. Waist-to-hip Ratio (WHR)
Strengths
Relatively easy to measure
Inexpensive
Well-acknowledged as a predictor for cardiovascular disease

7. Air Displacement Plethysmography (ADP)
Strengths
Accurate
Safe
Relatively quick and comfortable
Technically suitable for all people
Limitations
Expensive

8. Thank you!

9. References http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity