Healthy Weight - Adults

Overweight describes a condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to an extent that health may be impaired. This is an important issue for Walsall because our population has become increasingly overweight in recent times.

There is a growing evidence base linking excess weight in adults to a higher chance of serious health problems and decreased life expectancy. There is also evidence that obesity and overweight ‘tracks’ into adulthood – the main reason Public Health Specialists are so concerned about the increasing prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity. 

Adults

Using National survey data applied to local population figures, it is estimated that in Walsall around 55,000 adults (26%) are obese and around 130,000 (62%) are overweight or obese.

Weight in adults is commonly defined by Body Mass Index (BMI), which is calculated by dividing an individual’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres (kg/m2).  In addition to BMI, waist circumference may be used in people with a BMI less than 35 to assess health risks.

Classification	BMI (Kg / m2)
Underweight	< 18.5
Normal range	18.5 - 24.9
Overweight	25 - 29.9
Obesity Class I	30 - 34.9
Obesity Class II	35 - 39.9
Obesity Class III	40+

 

Downloads:

 

Adult Obesity Pathway