Interpretation of Results
In Britain today:
- 1/4 of people in their 20s are overweight.
- 1/2 of people over 40 are overweight.
Being overweight is a serious risk to personal health and well-being. It can contribute to coronary heart disease, gall bladder problems, high blood pressure, joint damage, an increased risk of diabetes mellitus and a shorter lifespan.
The weight/height chart gives a useful guide for most people as to their acceptable weight range. However, these charts are not always accurate.
For example:
A competitive weightlifter who has less than 10% body fat could easily appear 20kg overweight on some charts. So, measuring body weight does not tell us anything about how much fat a person is carrying - and it is being overfat that poses the real risk to health.
Whilst most overfat people would also be overweight, not all are. A person may have weak, small muscles, be very fat and may still be within the acceptable height/weight range.
Others, for example the competitive weightlifter, who may be in regular strength and muscle building training, may be classified as being overweight owing to their increased muscle mass. Muscle weighs heavier than fat, so occasionally, these people; although they carry little fat may actually be classified by height/weight tables as being obese!
The real problem is not so much being overweight, but overfat!
So, the measurement of body fat is a far better way of assessing whether or not a person is over fat.
