Which of the following is the correct definition of overweight and obesity given by WHO?

Appeared in: DSSSB October 2024

Explanation

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), overweight is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25.0 or greater.
Obesity is defined as a BMI of 30.0 or greater.
BMI is a standard screening tool calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (kg/m²).
The question asks for the correct definitions, and this option provides the universally accepted WHO thresholds.

Option A: This option incorrectly states that overweight begins at a BMI of 30. A BMI of 30 is the threshold for obesity, not overweight.
Option C: This option incorrectly sets the overweight threshold at 30, which is the actual starting point for obesity. A BMI of 40 signifies Class III (morbid) obesity.
Option D: The BMI values in this option are excessively high. A BMI of 40 or more is classified as Class III (severe or morbid) obesity, not the starting point for overweight.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain WHO classification of overweight and obesity using Body Mass Index (BMI) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses use BMI as a quick, non-invasive screening tool to identify patients at risk for chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, which are strongly linked to higher BMI values.
It is crucial for nurses to educate patients that BMI is a screening tool and has limitations; it does not differentiate between fat and muscle mass. A very muscular athlete may have a high BMI without being overfat.
What if? A patient from an Asian population has a BMI of 24. While this is 'Normal' by standard WHO criteria, for many Asian populations, a BMI greater than 23 is considered overweight, and greater than 25 is obese, indicating a need for earlier health screening and intervention.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'WHO', 'overweight', 'obesity', and 'BMI'.
Recognize this as a factual recall question that requires knowledge of standard medical definitions.
Recall the specific BMI thresholds set by the World Health Organization for adults.
The threshold for overweight is a BMI of 25.
The threshold for obesity is a BMI of 30.
Systematically evaluate each option against these two established facts and select the one that correctly states both thresholds.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: WHO classification of overweight and obesity using Body Mass Index (BMI).
Stem keywords: overweight, obesity, WHO, definition, BMI
Lead-in keywords: correct definition
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) p. 69-71

E6 Medicine Davidson Principles Practice 24e p. 720-722

Practise the full DSSSB October 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.