Severe overweight (obesity class 2)

Obesity is a severe medical condition. Millions of people around the world are considered to be suffering from obesity. Obesity is characterized by a large amount of fat in the body and increases the person’s risk of developing several critical medical problems.

Severe overweight (obesity class 2)

There are different classes of obesity based on one’s BMI or Body Mass Index. Anyone with a BMI between 35 and 40 is classified in the category of overweight (obesity class 2). As a result, the individual consequently has a high risk of developing medical problems.

Exceptions to the BMI scale

A person’s BMI is calculated based on its height and weight. Generally, it is used to estimate the proportion of body fat. But that is not always correct, especially for unusually tall individuals. Even those who engage in bodybuilding and who therefore carry more kilos of muscle in relation to body fat can be considered obese in a regular BMI measurement.

However, for individuals who do not actively and persistently exercise with weights, a BMI of 30 and higher are classified as suffering from obesity. Children of a certain age also do not fall into the usual BMI scale.

Increased risk of illness with obesity

There are medical problems that can develop if you fall into the category of obesity. Individuals classified with obesity class 2 have a higher risk of developing the following medical conditions:

  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • High cholesterol
  • Heart attack
  • Heart failure
  • Stroke
  • Some types of cancer
  • Liver problems
  • Gallstone
  • Problems with joints (pressure-related)
  • Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a critical condition where breathing temporarily ceases during sleep. It can cause fatigue during the day, drowsiness, poor attention, and difficulty concentrating. Episodes of fatigue risk putting the individual in potentially threatening situations.

Waist dimensions related to the risk of disease

For people who are overweight, waist size is a good indicator of the possibility that they will develop heart disease. For example, women who have a waist circumference larger than 88 cm and men whose waist exceeds 100 cm may have easier to develop type 2 diabetes and heart problems. People with a waist circumference larger than the hips also have a higher risk of severe illnesses.

Of course, there are other risk factors for developing these medical conditions other than being classified with severe obesity (obesity class 2). If you have a family history with certain medical conditions, use of tobacco, or live a generally sedentary lifestyle, you are, in all likelihood, also at risk for developing these diseases.

The classification, severe obesity, (obesity class 2) is the second-highest classification and lies between significant overweight (obesity class 1) and extreme obesity (obesity class 3). In the case of a weight gain, the classification may change to the highest level, while a weight loss may lower the rating to obesity class 1.