This article first appeared in the September 2005 issue of the Zone Net Newsletter which discusses Zone Diet and other weight loss issues.

As many people know, our expanding waistlines are at epidemic proportions here in America. For those who are dubious, epidemic, according to the Webster-Merriam online dictionary means, "affecting or tending to affect a disproportionately large number of individuals within a population, community or region at the same time."

Overweight or More?

When a person is in excess of twenty percent above their normal weight in terms of fat mass, then that individual is considered obese. Morbid obesity is when a person is fifty to a hundred percent above normal weight, more than one hundred lbs above normal weight, or so overweight that the extra baggage substantially interferes with the health of normal daily functions.

Extra Baggage?

Many of us have been carrying around extra weight for so long and have become so desensitized to our gradually increasing dress sizes, and have become so used to referring to ourselves as "healthy" and "voluptuous" that we may not be fully aware that there may be a body fat issue.

Body Mass Index

The Body Mass Index (BMI) assessment can be very helpful. This is used by health professionals to ascertain if an individual is underweight, overweight or within the healthy weight range.

BMI measures your weight in relation to your height.

A BMI of 18.5-24.9 is considered healthy, a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight and a BMI of thirty or more is considered obese. The higher weights in the healthy range apply to people with more muscle and bone.

BMI does not distinguish the difference between the weight of fat and the weight of muscle, which is exponentially more. Because of this, it is not always entirely accurate as far as the prediction of health concerns. For example, a bodybuilder or someone with a lot's muscles may have a BMI that is numerically in the unhealthy range, despite that the fact they may be healthy as an ox.

BMI may also fall short of accurately reflecting body fat in individuals who are quite short (less than 5 ft) and in older individuals who tend to lose muscle mass as they age. It can also be inaccurate for some racial and ethnic groups like African-American and Latino American females, who often have different body types than Caucasian and Asian females, for instance.

The location of fat on your body is also quite important. Those who carry fat primarily around their waists might be more likely to develop health problems than those who carry their extra baggage in their hips and thighs. Even if your BMI falls within the normal range, this is still true. To measure your waist circumference, place a tape measure around your naked abdomen just above your hip bone. The tape should be snug, parallel to the floor and should not compress your skin. Relax and exhale as you measure your waist.

More info can be found at Zone Diet Plan as well as several weight loss and zone diet products.