PRE-OBESITY

Being overweight is now categorized as pre-obesity, but some researchers point out that unlike obesity, it doesn’t clearly increase the risk of death. And the body mass index (BMI) , a standard measure for excess weight, doesn’t always reflect health. The term has relevance because many people who are overweight continue to gain weight, says Robert Kushner, M.D., clinical director of the Northwestern Comprehensive Center of Obesity in Chicago. People who are told by their doctors that they’re overweight and continue to gain weight are more than twice as likely to try to lose weight than their less informed counterparts, according to a 2011 study in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Who has it: People with BMIs of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight, although the index might not be valid for very muscular short people. Use the free online calculator at consumer reportsHealth.org, or multiply your weight in pounds by 703, then divide by your height, in inches squared.

How to reduce your risk: If you have risk factors for obesity-related diseases – including a waist circumference exceeding 40 inches (for men) or 35 for women – try to lose 5 to 10 percent of your body weight through moderating diet and exercise. Our advisors advise against taking drugs or supplements for weight loss because the benefits are marginal and side effects can be risky. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the use of the Lap Band, a device wrapped around the stomach to limit food intake. Now it’s available for those with a BMI of 30 to 34 who also have a weight-related condition. Surgery carries serious risks and should not be taken lightly.