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SEPTEMBER 18, 2000

According to guidelines released by the The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), you might be considered obse and not know it.

Both classify classify people as overweight with a body-mass index of at least 25 and they define obesity as a BMI of 30 or more.

Body-mass index is calculated as follows: Take your weight in pounds, multiply by 703. Then divide by your height in inches. Then divide it by inches again.

Another weight-level classifier is known as body fat percentage. This is best taken by a doctor or at a hospital, although some devices on the market attempt to measure it.

Varying standards exist in using that number, however, and vary by age, gender, and race. Women, in general, have a higher body fat percentage than men.

One should always consult a doctor in dealing with weight, diet, and health issues.

Calculate your BMI:
You'll need your weight in pounds and height in inches - www.kcnet.com/~marc/bmi.html

Get the Story:
Measuring Obesity Debatable (The Omaha World Herald 9/18)