Significant overweight (obesity class 1)

Significant overweight, obesity class 1 is a segment in the Body Mass Index scale, used by health care professionals to indicate a person’s obesity grade. Obesity class 1 is the lowest BMI evaluation of the obesity class and is considered to be significantly overweight. The BMI here falls between 30 and 35.

Significant overweight (obesity class 1)

The amount of fat in a person at obesity class 1 is deemed to be in a low-risk area for poor health. That is, a person may have poor health, but if then, possibly from another type of illness. The amount of fat the person carries only contributes to a lesser extent to the person’s health risks.

Waist

A person’s waist size, in comparison to the person’s height, is an essential factor in indicating obesity. It is the first visible sign that fat in the body can accumulate around the organs and start contributing to poorer health.

Visceral fat, also called abdominal fat, surrounds our waist to a greater or lesser extent. It also covers our internal organs and can start the inflammatory process that leads to heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some types of cancer. In men, this is the most severe form of fat accumulation. However, obesity of all kinds, in all places, can cause impairment in the organs.

Heart

A healthy heart is about the size of a fist. A heart that has fat accumulation is oversized, full of uneven fat pockets, and has enlarged heart chambers. In this state, the heart cannot pump blood efficiently. As a result, all the various organs of the body are adversely affected.

The aorta, the largest and most important artery that transports oxygenated blood from the heart to the body, should have smooth internal walls. However, in a state of obesity, fat deposits are formed inside the aorta, and the fat prevents blood flow from the heart. This puts additional strain on the heart as it pumps blood around the body.

Internal organs

The liver filters and purifies the blood. Again, fat deposits can develop that cause fatty acid disease. This can lead to sclerosis of the liver, where the liver becomes fibrous. Blood cannot be transported freely through the liver, as it encounters obstructions. Which, in turn, leads to high cholesterol levels.

The kidneys are also affected by overweight. Stored fat stresses the kidneys, which then increases blood pressure. Kidneys that do not function properly affect insulin production, which can eventually lead to diabetes. The joints can also be affected by those who suffer from obesity. Carrying extra weight will adversely harm the joints. This leads to pain and can eventually contribute to arthritis.

Medical examination

To see if you have obesity class 1, your doctor will often check and collect the following data:

  • Weight
  • Length
  • Waist circumference
  • Hip circumference
  • Blood pressure
  • Cholesterol
  • Blood sugar

If the results are not within the normal ranges, you may be considered to have class 1 obesity. If your numbers are above that range, you will fall into a higher classification of obesity. The best way to improve these values is to lose weight. Even a small weight loss can change these values and cause less strain on your organs and limbs.

What does it mean to have obesity class 1?

Having class 1 obesity means that the body has stored too much fat. All body organs suffer from excess fat tissue. Blood flow is hindered, which means that the body’s cells may not get enough nutrients. Fat deposits built up around the waist and around the internal organs prevent the body from functioning with optimum performance. Failure to function properly may result in various grave sequelae. Suffering from obesity often leads to a shorter life span.

What can be done to leave obesity class 1?

Obesity at all levels can indicate a lack of physical exercise, as fat accumulation is a result of consuming more calories than what is burned in total during the day. Find a healthy diet that works for you.

Crash diets are not recommended as the body is already struggling to get enough nutrients to the cells due to excess fat stored throughout the body. Instead, a slow and steady weight loss plan that suits your lifestyle will result in a balanced weight loss that you can stick to for a longer time.

Are there any benefits of having obesity class 1?

There may be a few benefits in particular situations, but the health risks far outweigh the benefits to a much greater extent. People with extra stored fat can often tolerate colder temperatures compared to slimmer individuals.

During times of famine, the body will also convert the fat back into energy. Despite these two benefits, obesity class 1 is an emerging health risk. Maintaining optimal weight is always more rational and healthier.

The classification, significant overweight (obesity class 1) lies between the rating of overweight and severe overweight. An increase in weight is likely to result in a changed classification up to obesity class 2. A weight reduction hopefully will lead to a lower category into BMI overweight.