Encyclopaedia

Obesity

If the body weight for a given height exceeds a BMI value of 30, then one speaks of obesity, provided that it is an excess of body fat. Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes mellitus type II, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and certain forms of cancer. It considerably reduces life expectancy. A BMI greater than 25 is called overweight. The risks remain the same.

Body-Mass-Index (BMI)

It is a height-adjusted weight index, where the body weight is divided by the body height, namely kg/m2. For the individual it cannot give any information about bone structure, muscle mass or fat mass.

Body fat percentage

Very low and increased body fat values are associated with a shortened life expectancy. The determination of the body fat percentage is therefore of great medical importance. So called fat calculators are offered for this purpose, usually based on circumference and diameter measurements. However, these have not become established in the scientific literature. Technical procedures are available, but are usually cost and time intensive and have their methodological limitations. For an overview see:
Krieger J. Methods and pitfalls of body fat measurement. https://aesirsports.de/koerperfettmessung-methoden-tuecken/

Target weight

The basis for a target weight should be a scientific body analysis. It indicates the body weight at which the greatest life expectancy can be expected, taking into account gender, height, bone structure and muscular structure. Target weight is therefore not to be equated with ideal weight or desired weight.

In consideration of gender, height, weight and bone structure, the body analysis comprises

The calculation of the age-independent reference weight,
Information on your bone structure
The differentiation of fat and muscle,
A fat calculator
The calculation of your waist to height ratio
The calculation of your target weight

Now determine the target weight