Human body weight: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 21:49, 21 February 2025

Overview of human body weight

Human body weight refers to the mass or weight of a person. It is measured in kilograms or pounds, depending on the region. Body weight is an important indicator of health and is used in various medical and fitness assessments.

Factors affecting body weight[edit]

Several factors can influence a person's body weight, including:

Genetics: Genetic makeup can affect metabolism and body composition.
Diet: The types and amounts of food consumed directly impact body weight.
Physical activity: Regular exercise can help maintain a healthy weight by burning calories.
Metabolism: The rate at which the body burns calories can vary between individuals.
Hormones: Hormonal imbalances can lead to weight gain or loss.
Age: Metabolism tends to slow down with age, affecting weight.
Sleep: Poor sleep patterns can contribute to weight gain.

Measuring body weight[edit]

Body weight is typically measured using a weighing scale. It is important to measure weight consistently, at the same time of day and under similar conditions, to track changes accurately.

Body weight and health[edit]

Maintaining a healthy body weight is crucial for overall health. Being overweight or underweight can lead to various health issues:

Obesity: Excess body weight increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension.
Underweight: Being underweight can lead to malnutrition, osteoporosis, and anemia.

Body Mass Index (BMI)[edit]

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a common method used to assess whether a person has a healthy body weight. It is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. The BMI categories are:

Underweight: BMI < 18.5
Normal weight: BMI 18.5–24.9
Overweight: BMI 25–29.9
Obesity: BMI ≥ 30

External links[edit]

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-Human body weight refers to a person's mass or weight, a fundamental aspect of human biology, health, and fitness. The measurement of body weight provides important information about a person's nutritional status, risk for chronic diseases, and overall health.
+{{Short description|Overview of human body weight}}
+'''Human body weight''' refers to the mass or weight of a person. It is measured in [[kilograms]] or [[pounds]], depending on the region. Body weight is an important indicator of health and is used in various medical and fitness assessments.
-== Measurement Units ==
+[[File:Obesity-waist circumference.svg|thumb|Obesity-waist circumference]]
+==Factors affecting body weight==
+Several factors can influence a person's body weight, including:
-Body weight is primarily measured in kilograms (kg), a unit of mass, throughout the world, especially in countries that use the metric system. However, in some countries like the United States, body weight is typically measured in pounds (lb). In the United Kingdom, body weight is often recorded in stones and pounds, where one stone is equivalent to 14 pounds. Despite the use of pounds and stones in daily life, most healthcare institutions globally, including those in the United States, use kilograms for medical calculations and documentation.
+* '''[[Genetics]]''': Genetic makeup can affect metabolism and body composition.
+* '''[[Diet (nutrition)|Diet]]''': The types and amounts of food consumed directly impact body weight.
+* '''[[Physical activity]]''': Regular exercise can help maintain a healthy weight by burning calories.
+* '''[[Metabolism]]''': The rate at which the body burns calories can vary between individuals.
+* '''[[Hormones]]''': Hormonal imbalances can lead to weight gain or loss.
+* '''[[Ageing|Age]]''': Metabolism tends to slow down with age, affecting weight.
+* '''[[Sleep]]''': Poor sleep patterns can contribute to weight gain.
-== Factors Influencing Body Weight ==
+==Measuring body weight==
+Body weight is typically measured using a [[weighing scale]]. It is important to measure weight consistently, at the same time of day and under similar conditions, to track changes accurately.
-Several factors can influence an individual's body weight, including genetic predisposition, diet, physical activity level, age, sex, muscle mass, and overall health status. Certain medical conditions and medications can also lead to weight gain or weight loss.
+==Body weight and health==
+Maintaining a healthy body weight is crucial for overall health. Being overweight or underweight can lead to various health issues:
-== Health Implications ==
+* '''[[Obesity]]''': Excess body weight increases the risk of [[cardiovascular disease]], [[diabetes]], and [[hypertension]].
+* '''[[Underweight]]''': Being underweight can lead to [[malnutrition]], [[osteoporosis]], and [[anemia]].
-Body weight, when considered with other measurements such as height (to calculate Body Mass Index or BMI), waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio, can help assess a person's risk for health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Both underweight and overweight conditions can be associated with health risks.
+==Body Mass Index (BMI)==
+[[Body Mass Index]] (BMI) is a common method used to assess whether a person has a healthy body weight. It is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. The BMI categories are:
-== Management of Body Weight ==
+* Underweight: BMI < 18.5
+* Normal weight: BMI 18.5–24.9
+* Overweight: BMI 25–29.9
+* Obesity: BMI ≥ 30
-Maintaining a healthy body weight involves balancing energy intake (calories consumed) with energy expenditure (calories burned). This is often achieved through a combination of a balanced diet and regular physical activity. In some cases, medication or surgery may be recommended to assist with weight management.
+==See also==
-{{stub}}
+* [[Body composition]]
-[[Category:Human weight]]
+* [[Caloric intake]]
-[[Category:Physical quantities]]
+* [[Weight management]]
-[[Category:Physiology]]
+* [[Nutrition]]
-[[Category:Nutrition]]
+==External links==
+* [https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/index.html CDC - Healthy Weight]
+* [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight WHO - Obesity and Overweight]
+[[Category:Human body]]
+[[Category:Health indicators]]
+[[Category:Weight management]]