Obesity Risk

6min

Data Type
Health Risk
Scans Required
BodyScan
Sources
Heo, M., Faith, M. S., Pietrobelli, A., & Heymsfield, S. B. (2012). Percentage of body fat cutoffs by sex, age, and race-ethnicity in the US adult population from NHANES 1999–2004. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 95(3), 594-602. 

Gallagher, D., Heymsfield, S. B., Heo, M., Jebb, S. A., Murgatroyd, P. R., & Sakamoto, Y. (2000). Healthy percentage body fat ranges: an approach for developing guidelines based on body mass index. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 72(3), 694-701.
Validation
Predictors of Total Body Fat have been Externally Validated (Prof Timothy R Ackland). Validated against iDXA
Predictors
Age, height, weight, gender, total body fat %
Predictors - Risk Category
The study does split by ethnicity, accounting for only a small difference between the races. By using the average of all cutoffs and not asking for ethnicity it can reduce identifiable and race-related issues. 
However, partners who have that demographic can use the exact dataset to be closer to the published paper.
Formula/Calculation
TBF is mapped directly to published data
Risk Category
Low, Medium, High, Very High
Cohort
US adult population from NHANES 1999–2004
Strengths & Weaknesses
Excess fatness in most epidemiologic studies has been defined on the basis of overweight or obese BMI (in kg/m2). However, it has often been debated whether BMI represents body fat adequately. Currently, there exists no consensus of the percentage of body fat criteria to define obesity or excess percentage of body fat. 

Previous research has attempted to provide recommendations, often limited by their use of criterion standard of measurement or small populations. 
﻿
Cutoffs have been proposed for three ethnicities using DXA as a criterion method by Gallagher et al., 2000. Although these cutoffs have been generally accepted as the standard for research purposes, the initial research is again limited in population size (n = 1,626). 
﻿
An update to these cutoffs was proposed by Heo et al., 2012, ethnicity and sex-specific cutoffs are based on over 16,000 American adults. We have presented Heo and colleague’s cutoffs for the classification of body fat percentage below. We have also presented the cutoffs presented by Gallagher et al. 2000. 
Feedback & Changes
﻿
Notes
Terminology
Use "People First" language e.g. “Obese Women” becomes "Women living with Obesity"
﻿
About
The World Health Organization defines obesity as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health.
Obesity is a major risk factor for chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.
The World Health Organization estimates half of the adult population worldwide are overweight or obese.
Risk Categories
Low Body Fat %
A low body fat percentage is normally associated with the 'Underweight' BMI category and individuals who are either considered as 'lean' (excess muscle mass) or 'Underweight' (reduced body fat).

Medium Body Fat %
A medium body fat percentage is normally associated with the 'Normal' BMI category.

High Body Fat %
A high body fat percentage is normally associated with the 'Overweight' BMI category.

Very High BF%
A very high body fat percentage is normally associated with the 'Obese' BMI category.
﻿
Age 18-29
Category
Males
Females
LOW 
< 13.83
< 26.67
MEDIUM 
≥ 13.83 < 24.43
≥ 26.67 < 36.67
HIGH 
≥ 24.43 < 29.40
≥ 36.67 < 41.40
VERY HIGH 
≥ 29.40
≥ 41.40
Age 30-49
Category
Males
Females
LOW 
< 15.03
< 27.70
MEDIUM 
≥ 15.03 < 24.80
≥ 27.70 < 37.20
HIGH 
≥ 24.80 < 29.40
≥ 37.20 < 41.70
VERY HIGH 
≥ 29.40
≥ 41.70
Age 50+
Category
Males
Females
LOW 
< 17.87
< 30.43
MEDIUM 
≥ 17.87 < 27.10
≥ 30.43 < 39.33
HIGH 
≥ 27.10 < 31.47
≥ 39.33 < 43.53
VERY HIGH 
≥ 31.47
≥ 43.53
﻿

Data Type	Health Risk
Scans Required	BodyScan
Sources	Heo, M., Faith, M. S., Pietrobelli, A., & Heymsfield, S. B. (2012). Percentage of body fat cutoffs by sex, age, and race-ethnicity in the US adult population from NHANES 1999–2004. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 95(3), 594-602. Gallagher, D., Heymsfield, S. B., Heo, M., Jebb, S. A., Murgatroyd, P. R., & Sakamoto, Y. (2000). Healthy percentage body fat ranges: an approach for developing guidelines based on body mass index. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 72(3), 694-701.
Validation	Predictors of Total Body Fat have been Externally Validated (Prof Timothy R Ackland). Validated against iDXA
Predictors	Age, height, weight, gender, total body fat %
Predictors - Risk Category	The study does split by ethnicity, accounting for only a small difference between the races. By using the average of all cutoffs and not asking for ethnicity it can reduce identifiable and race-related issues. However, partners who have that demographic can use the exact dataset to be closer to the published paper.
Formula/Calculation	TBF is mapped directly to published data
Risk Category	Low, Medium, High, Very High
Cohort	US adult population from NHANES 1999–2004
Strengths & Weaknesses	Excess fatness in most epidemiologic studies has been defined on the basis of overweight or obese BMI (in kg/m2). However, it has often been debated whether BMI represents body fat adequately. Currently, there exists no consensus of the percentage of body fat criteria to define obesity or excess percentage of body fat. Previous research has attempted to provide recommendations, often limited by their use of criterion standard of measurement or small populations. Cutoffs have been proposed for three ethnicities using DXA as a criterion method by Gallagher et al., 2000. Although these cutoffs have been generally accepted as the standard for research purposes, the initial research is again limited in population size (n = 1,626). An update to these cutoffs was proposed by Heo et al., 2012, ethnicity and sex-specific cutoffs are based on over 16,000 American adults. We have presented Heo and colleague’s cutoffs for the classification of body fat percentage below. We have also presented the cutoffs presented by Gallagher et al. 2000.
Feedback & Changes
Notes	Terminology Use "People First" language e.g. “Obese Women” becomes "Women living with Obesity"

Category	Males	Females
LOW	< 13.83	< 26.67
MEDIUM	≥ 13.83 < 24.43	≥ 26.67 < 36.67
HIGH	≥ 24.43 < 29.40	≥ 36.67 < 41.40
VERY HIGH	≥ 29.40	≥ 41.40

Category	Males	Females
LOW	< 15.03	< 27.70
MEDIUM	≥ 15.03 < 24.80	≥ 27.70 < 37.20
HIGH	≥ 24.80 < 29.40	≥ 37.20 < 41.70
VERY HIGH	≥ 29.40	≥ 41.70

Category	Males	Females
LOW	< 17.87	< 30.43
MEDIUM	≥ 17.87 < 27.10	≥ 30.43 < 39.33
HIGH	≥ 27.10 < 31.47	≥ 39.33 < 43.53
VERY HIGH	≥ 31.47	≥ 43.53

Updated 25 Mar 2024

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