Definition: Overweight refers to an individual weighing 10% or more of what is considered his or her recommended healthy weight (as determined by large-scale population surveys).
A mathematical formula using height and weight called "body mass index" (BMI) is also used to assess underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity. Individuals with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight.
Being overweight is known to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and health problems, particularly if other risk factors are present. Ask your doctor if you are at an increased health risk and whether you should lose weight or simply avoid gaining weight.
Pronunciation: OH-ver-WEYT
Common Misspellings: overweightness
Examples:
Heather is considered overweight, because she weighs 150 pounds and 135 pounds is considered a healthy weight for her height.
