page 15 of 22 
Risk Factors
Obesity: The Skinny on Fat
Obesity means having a very high amount of body fat. The number of obese people has more than doubled in the past 20 years.
Overweight means having above normal body weight or weighing too much for your height. Overweight does not always mean over fat. In 2004, almost 63% of men and 45% of women in Colorado were overweight.
Being overweight from muscle, bone, fat or body water can be unhealthy; but being obese—having too much fat—increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and some cancers.
This chart shows that the percentage of overweight adults in Colorado can vary by race or ethnicity. Obesity in Colorado varies even more among racial and ethnic groups. Source
How is obesity determined? By your Body Mass Index (BMI)
A person’s weight status can be underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese, depending on the Body Mass Index, or BMI. The BMI is a calculated number based on weight and height. See the chart below for BMI numbers, learn the BMI formula or calculate your own BMI.
| BMI | Weight Status |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5-24.9 | Normal |
| 25.0-29.9 | Overweight |
| 30.0 and Above | Obese |
Percent of Coloradans Who Reported Being Obese
Source: Colorado Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Denver Region, 2004-2005. Survey data, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Health Statistics Section.
Source: Colorado Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Denver Region, 2004-2005. Survey data, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Health Statistics Section.
page 15 of 22