Obesity results from the excessive accumulation of fat that exceeds the body's skeletal and physical standards. Severe obesity, sometimes known as "morbid obesity" is defined, according to the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company height and weight table, as being 100 pounds or more or 100 percent above ideal body weight (IBW). According to the National Institutes of Health, an increase in 20 percent or more above your ideal body weight is the point at which excess weight becomes a health risk.

Today more than 97 million Americans, more than one-third of the adult population, is overweight or obese! An estimated five to ten million of those are considered to be morbidly obese. According to the New National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute obesity guidelines Body Mass Index (BMI) is the best known assessment of a person’s obesity since it is easy to use, accurate in determining the degree of obesity, takes both height and weight into consideration and applies to both men and women.

Calculate your BMI

To calculate your BMI divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared and then multiplying by 703. The result equals your BMI which is used extensively in managing surgical weight reduction.

Or use the easy BMI calculator from the CDC.

What does your BMI mean?

• 18.4 or less – underweight or malnourishment
• 18.5-24.9 – healthy weight
• 25.0-29.9 – overweight condition
• 30.0-39.9 – moderate obesity
• 40 or above – severe or morbid obesity