Am I Overweight Quiz

Signs that you are overweight

The signs can vary from person to person, but there are a few key indicators that can help determine if someone is overweight.

• BMI

One of the most obvious signs of obesity is excess body weight. If a person weighs significantly more than what is considered a healthy weight for their height and age, they are likely overweight or obese.

There are several tools used to measure body weight, including the body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio.

Body Mass Index is calculated by dividing a person’s weight (in kilograms) by the square of their height (in meters).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established standards for interpreting BMI results. According to these standards, a person with a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered to have a healthy weight. A person with a BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight, while a person with a BMI above 24.9 is considered overweight.

It is important to note that BMI does not take into account body composition, that is, the proportion of muscle mass, body fat and bone. Thus, an athletic and muscular person may have a high BMI, but not be a health risk. BMI alone should not be used to assess a person’s health status. It is important to consult a physician for an overall health assessment.

• Breathing problems

People with a significant excess of body fat very frequently encounter breathing difficulties. This may be due to increased metabolic activity directly related to the excess weight, requiring more effort from the body to ensure the breathing process.

Breathing problems can also result from compression of the rib cage due to excess body fat, limiting the volume of air in the lungs.

Respiratory disorders in people with a high BMI are seen in:

-Severe shortness of breath with exercise.

-Shortness of breath when resting.

-Sensation of lack of air.

-Difficulty breathing during sleep, with snoring, micro-awakenings, feeling of not having slept enough.

-Fatigue and daytime sleepiness.

• Stress

Anxiety disorders such as stress can contribute to the development of obesity and eating disorders. This can lead to compulsive eating behaviors, such as snacking or excessive food restriction.

The cause is the release of stress hormones, that will modify the way sugar and water are stored by the body, and reduces muscle mass. It thus promotes the storage of fat and increases our appetite.

People who have a family history of eating disorders or who have difficulty managing stress are more likely to develop an eating disorder when exposed to high levels of stress.

• Genetics

According to some studies, there is indeed a genetic predisposition to overweight. An individual is more likely to be obese if family members are obese themselves. Several genes show an involvement in the development of obesity, which interact with external factors such as an unbalanced diet and lack of exercise.

That said, physical activity and a healthy diet can diminish the impact of genes.

It is important to note that obesity is a complex condition that can be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight is not always easy, but there are many treatments and programs available to help people with obesity achieve their weight loss goals.

• Food intake and body consumption

When food intake and body consumption are balanced, an adult’s weight is stable. However, when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure over a long period of time, weight gain occurs gradually. This situation occurs if :

-Caloric intake is excessive (fatty, sugary, low-fiber diet, intake of sweetened beverages, large portions, etc.);

-Daily energy expenditure is insufficient (physical inactivity and/or lack of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle in front of the television, video games, car travel, office jobs, etc.).