Obesity in adults is defined as a BMI greater than what value?

Obesity in adults is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30. This classification is used by health organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to categorize individuals based on their weight relative to their height.

A BMI greater than 30 indicates a higher level of body fat, which is associated with an increased risk of various health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The establishment of this threshold is based on extensive research linking higher BMI levels to these health risks, making it a crucial metric for identifying individuals who may benefit from weight management interventions.

The other choices do not align with the accepted definitions of obesity. Values between 25 and 29.9 indicate overweight, while a BMI less than 24 is considered normal. A range of 25 to 35 includes individuals who are overweight and those who are classified as obese, but it is not a definitive cutoff for obesity specifically. Thus, a BMI greater than 30 distinctly defines obesity in adults.