ABSTRACT
Obesity results from a chronic excess of energy intake over energy expenditure.1 Several measurements are used to define obesity: body mass index (BMI) (weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared), waist circumference (measured
in centimeters at the midpoint between the lower border of the ribs and the upper border of the pelvis), skinfold thickness (measured in centimeters with callipers), bioimpedance (measurement of resistance to a weak current applied across extremities).2 BMI is the most frequently used formula in epidemiological studies. The World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed a definition of overweight as BMI 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2 and obesity as BMI
≥30.0 kg/m2, which apply to both sexes and to all adult age groups.3
