Setting Standards in the Definition of Obesity

For many years the definition of obesity was objectified with height and weight charts that offered ranges of healthy weight based on age, height, weight, and gender. But several versions of the chart existed skewing an exact standard for the definition of obesity

Body fat tests measured the percentage of body fat but were not precise. The best body fat measurements were done underwater and highly inconvenient. Other body fat tests include the skin fold test, where the skin is grabbed and measured in calipers, and the bioelectric impedance analysis, which measure fat through an electric current.

BMI: The Current Standard for Measuring Obesity
Current definitions of obesity rely on a measure called the Body Mass Index, or BMI. The BMI, which is calculated with height and weight measurements, has come to be the most internationally accepted definition of obesity.

To calculate your BMI determine your height in inches and multiply it by itself (ex. 64 x 64 = 4096). Divide your weight in pounds by your height calculation (ex. 175 / 4096 = 0.04272); then multiply this result by 703 (ex. 0.04272 x 703 = 30). This should give you your BMI