The Global Challenge of Obesity and the International Obesity Task Force
Tables
Table 1: WHO standard classification of obesity
BMI |
Risk of co-morbidities | |
| Normal BMI | 18.5-24.9 | average |
| Overweight: | ||
| Pre-obese | 25.0-29.9 | increased |
| Obesity class I | 30.0-34.9 | moderate |
| Obesity class II | 35.0-39.9 | severe |
| Obesity class III | ³ 40 | very severe |
(WHO 1997)
Table 2: Sex-specific waist circumferences for ‘increased risk’ and ‘substantially increased risk’ of metabolic complications associated with obesity in Caucasians
Risk of obesity-associated metabolic complications |
||
Increased |
Substantially increased |
|
| Men | ³ 94 cm |
³ 102 cm |
| Women | ³ 80 cm |
³ 88 cm |
Note: The figure are population-specific and the relative risk also depends on levels of obesity (BMI) and other risk factors for CVD and NIDDM) (WHO report 1997)
Table 3: Prevalence of overweight* children aged 6 to 8 year old
USA |
China |
Russia |
South Africa |
Brazil |
|
| Girls | 24.2 |
12.2 |
17.8 |
20.3 |
10.5 |
| Boys | 21.3 |
14.1 |
25.6 |
25.0 |
12.8 |
Popkin et al 1996
(*defined as BMI higher than the US reference NHES 85th percentile)
Figures
Figure 1: Examples of the prevalence of obesity in adults throughout the world
Figure 2: The increasing prevalence of obesity in adults world-wide.
Figure 3: Projected prevalence of obesity in adults by 2025
Figure 4: BMI distributions: proportion of men and women classified as obese, overweight and normal weight.
Note: Age standardised proportions from MONICA populations (age 35-64 years), data collected 1983-1986.
Figure 5: Relationship between BMI and cardiovascular risk factors
Figure 6: The organisational structure of the IOTF
