How is Obesity Diagnosed?

How is Obesity Diagnosed?

Obesity is an increasing health issue worldwide, and it is important to diagnose and treat it correctly. Detecting obesity requires a series of measurements and tests to evaluate an individual's health status. In this blog post, we will discuss in detail how obesity is detected.

1. Body Mass Index (BMI)

The most common method of detecting obesity is the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation. BMI is obtained by dividing a person's weight (kg) by the square of their height (m²). The classification according to BMI values is as follows:

• Below 18.5: Underweight
• 18.5 - 24.9: Normal weight
• 25 - 29.9: Overweight
• 30 and above: Obese

Although BMI is a simple and widely used method, it may not fully reflect body fat percentage. Therefore, it is important to support it with other methods.

2. Waist Circumference Measurement

Waist circumference measurement is used especially to determine abdominal obesity (fat accumulation in the abdominal area). Waist circumference measurements over 88 cm in women and 102 cm in men are associated with an increased health risk. This method provides more reliable results when used together with BMI.

3. Waist-Hip Ratio

The waist-hip ratio is obtained by dividing the waist circumference by the hip circumference. Values above 0.85 in women and 0.90 in men are associated with an increased risk of obesity. This ratio provides information about the distribution of body fat and helps in assessing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

4. Skinfold Thickness Measurement

Skinfold thickness measurement is another method used to determine body fat percentage. The measurement is done by measuring the thickness of subcutaneous fat tissue in specific areas of the body (e.g., triceps, waist, hip) with a device called a caliper. This method can provide quite accurate results when performed by an experienced professional.

5. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)

Bioelectrical impedance analysis is a method used to determine body composition. This method is based on the principle of sending a low-level electric current through the body and measuring the resistance. Fat tissue shows higher resistance compared to water and muscle tissue. In this way, body fat percentage can be calculated.

6. Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA)

DEXA scan is an advanced method used to measure body fat percentage and bone mineral density. This method analyzes body composition in detail and can distinguish between fat tissue and lean tissue. DEXA scan is used not only for obesity but also in the diagnosis of bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

Conclusion

Detecting obesity is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Methods such as BMI, waist circumference measurement, waist-hip ratio, skinfold thickness measurement, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and DEXA scan are used to determine obesity. When these methods are used together, they provide more accurate and comprehensive results. Early detection of obesity helps individuals lead a healthy life and contributes to the prevention of serious health problems.