Chapter 14, Problem 1QC

Summary Introduction

To review:

Determine whether the definition of overweight given by the government as BMI (body mass index) above 25 is justified or not.

Introduction:

BMI stands for body mass index. It is a measure of body weight of any person while taking height into consideration. According to the standard values, BMI should be between 18.5- 24.9 for a healthy individual.

Explanation of Solution

An individual having BMI greater than 25 is considered to be overweight by the government. The criteria set by the government, that is, BMI greater than 25, for overweight people is justified. This is because the people with BMI higher than 25 are found to be more prone to several disorders such as hypertension (increased blood pressure), type 2 diabetes (increased blood sugar level), coronary heart disease (obstructed blood flow due to deposition of cholesterol), and various other problems.

BMI above 25 raises an alarm that attention should be paid to, as early as possible. Any carelessness towards health in overweight person can lead to obesity, further increasing the chances of severe health issues and decreased lifespan.

Conclusion

Therefore, it can be concluded that any person having BMI above 25 should be considered as overweight, as per the criteria set by the government. Such individuals must take immediate steps to lower their body weight to prevent several health disorders.