What is the difference between obesity and morbid obesity?

Asked by: Miss Tyra Mante I  |  Last update: January 13, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (30 votes)

Obesity, having too much body fat, is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 30. BMI is a measure of your weight relative to your height. Morbid obesity, which is also termed “clinically severe obesity,” is typically defined as being more than 100 pounds overweight or having a BMI of 40 or higher.

What are the 4 types of obesity?

Four phenotypes of obesity have been described, based on body fat composition and distribution: (1) normal weight obese; (2) metabolically obese normal weight; (3) metabolically healthy obese; and (4) metabolically unhealthy obese. Sarcopenic obesity has been characterized, related to all the described phenotypes.

What is the new term for morbid obesity?

Because medical providers and their patients understand the word “morbid” differently (medical providers do not find their patients ghoulish), the preferred term is no longer “Morbid Obesity” but is using either “Class III Obesity” or “Severe Obesity.” This allows medical providers to communicate that this excess ...

How do I know if I'm obese or morbidly obese?

For most adults, if your BMI is:
  1. below 18.5 – you're in the underweight range.
  2. 18.5 to 24.9 – you're in the healthy weight range.
  3. 25 to 29.9 – you're in the overweight range.
  4. 30 to 39.9 – you're in the obese range.
  5. 40 or above – you're in the severely obese range.

How much do you have to weigh to be morbidly obese?

Individuals are usually considered morbidly obese if their weight is more than 80 to 100 pounds above their ideal body weight. A BMI above 40 indicates that a person is morbidly obese and therefore a candidate for bariatric surgery.

Difference between Obesity and Morbid obesity

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Is 200 pounds morbidly obese?

Below are tools you can use to determine if you are morbidly obese and potentially a candidate for weight-loss surgery . There are several medically accepted criteria for defining morbid obesity. You are likely morbidly obese if you are: more than 100 lbs.

What stage of obesity am I?

Overweight (not obese), if BMI is 25.0 to 29.9. Class 1 (low-risk) obesity, if BMI is 30.0 to 34.9. Class 2 (moderate-risk) obesity, if BMI is 35.0 to 39.9. Class 3 (high-risk) obesity, if BMI is equal to or greater than 40.0.

What is the strongest weight loss prescription pill?

Some of the strongest weight loss pills available today include: Naltrexone/bupropion (brand name Contrave) Phentermine/topiramate (brand name Qsymia) Orlistat (brand names Xenical, Alli)

Can belly fat make you tired?

Fat cells, particularly from abdominal fat, produce immune compounds called cytokines that promote sleepiness, among other effects.

What can I say instead of morbidly obese?

Now, healthcare providers, researchers and health organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), use the term “class III obesity” in place of “morbid obesity.”

Will my blood pressure go down if I lose 40 pounds?

The more weight lost, the more blood pressure can drop. As you lose weight, it may be possible to reduce your dose of blood pressure medicine. Or you might be able to stop taking blood pressure medicine completely. Never make changes to your blood pressure medicine on your own, however.

Is obesity a disability?

The vast majority of courts have held that obesity is not a disability under the ADA unless it is caused by an underlying health condition.

How to reverse obesity?

Everyone can take steps to:
  1. Eat healthy foods and drink healthy beverages, following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. ...
  2. Get the recommended amount of physical activity.
  3. Get enough sleep.
  4. Manage stress.
  5. Talk to your health care provider about whether weight is a health concern.

What pills did Kelly Clarkson take to lose weight?

She confirmed the rumors during a May episode of "The Kelly Clarkson Show" when chatting with Whoopi Goldberg, who's also been open about using Mounjaro, another weight-loss drug.

How to lose 20 pounds in a month?

Losing 20 pounds in 1 month may be easier than 2 weeks, but it's still unrealistic for most people. Once again, it comes down to your TDEE and simple math. To lose 20 pounds in 1 month, you'd need to create an average deficit of 2,500 calories per day for 4 weeks. This might be possible for larger men.

Will phentermine get rid of belly fat?

Losing Belly Fat With Weight Loss Drugs

Meridia, Phentermine, and Xenical are the most commonly used FDA-approved drugs for treating obesity. They are used for people with a BMI of 30 and above, or those who have a BMI of 27 and other obesity-related medical conditions.

Is 200 lbs obese?

Normal or healthy weight is indicated by a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9, overweight is between 25 and 29.9, and obese is 30 and above. For the majority of people who are less than 6 feet 4 inches tall, weighing more than 200 lbs would place them in the “overweight” or “obese” category, according to BMI calculations.

What is the healthiest way for a person to lose weight?

Healthy weight loss includes a lifestyle with healthy eating patterns, regular physical activity, enough sleep, and stress management.

Can you be obese and healthy?

Is it possible to be overweight and healthy? Silvana Pannain, MD: Yes, you can be overweight and metabolically healthy. At the same time, we know that obesity is a disease that affects the body in many different ways. Thirteen types of cancer and 200 other health conditions are related to obesity.