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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 {{Short description|Overview of human body weight}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
+'''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.
-'''Human body weight''' refers to the mass or weight of a person. It is measured in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb) and is an important indicator of health and well-being. Body weight is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, diet, physical activity, and overall health.
+[[File:Obesity-waist circumference.svg|thumb|Obesity-waist circumference]]
+==Factors affecting body weight==
+Several factors can influence a person's body weight, including:
-==Measurement==
+* '''[[Genetics]]''': Genetic makeup can affect metabolism and body composition.
-Body weight is typically measured using a scale. In medical settings, accurate measurement is crucial for assessing health status, calculating [[Body Mass Index|BMI]], and determining appropriate medication dosages. The [[File:Broselowtape.JPG|thumb|Broselow tape used for pediatric emergency care]] is an example of a tool used to estimate body weight in children based on their height.
+* '''[[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==
-Several factors can influence an individual's 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.
-* '''Genetics''': Genetic makeup can affect metabolism, fat distribution, and the propensity to gain or lose weight.
+==Body weight and health==
-* '''Diet''': Caloric intake and nutritional quality of food can significantly impact body weight.
+Maintaining a healthy body weight is crucial for overall health. Being overweight or underweight can lead to various health issues:
-* '''Physical Activity''': Regular exercise can help maintain a healthy weight by burning calories and building muscle.
-* '''Health Conditions''': Conditions such as [[hypothyroidism]], [[Cushing's syndrome]], and [[eating disorders]] can affect body weight.
-* '''Medications''': Some medications can lead to weight gain or loss as a side effect.
-==Health Implications==
+* '''[[Obesity]]''': Excess body weight increases the risk of [[cardiovascular disease]], [[diabetes]], and [[hypertension]].
-Maintaining a healthy body weight is important for overall health. Both underweight and overweight individuals may face health challenges. Being underweight can lead to malnutrition, weakened immune function, and osteoporosis, while being overweight or obese increases the risk of [[cardiovascular disease]], [[type 2 diabetes]], and certain types of cancer.
+* '''[[Underweight]]''': Being underweight can lead to [[malnutrition]], [[osteoporosis]], and [[anemia]].
-==Body Weight and Genetics==
+==Body Mass Index (BMI)==
-Research, such as that conducted by the [[File:Estonian Biobank of the Estonian Genome Center, University of Tartu|thumb|Estonian Biobank]], has shown that genetics play a significant role in determining body weight. Studies of twins and families have demonstrated that body weight is heritable, with estimates suggesting that 40-70% of the variation in body weight is due to genetic factors.
+[[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:
-==Also see==
+* Underweight: BMI < 18.5
-* [[Body Mass Index]]
+* Normal weight: BMI 18.5–24.9
-* [[Obesity]]
+* Overweight: BMI 25–29.9
+* Obesity: BMI ≥ 30
+==See also==
+* [[Body composition]]
+* [[Caloric intake]]
+* [[Weight management]]
 * [[Nutrition]]
-* [[Physical exercise]]
+==External links==
-* [[Metabolism]]
+* [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]
-{{Human body}}
-{{Health}}
 [[Category:Human body]]
-[[Category:Health]]
+[[Category:Health indicators]]
 [[Category:Weight management]]