It's not about a specific weight in kg, but rather a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 kg/m² or higher that is considered overweight in Korea.
Here's a breakdown:
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BMI: BMI is a calculation that uses your height and weight to estimate body fat. It's a common screening tool for weight categories.
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Overweight Definition in Korea: According to Korean standards, a person is considered:
- Overweight: BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²
- Obese: BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²
- Severely Obese: BMI ≥ 35 kg/m²
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Waist Circumference: Central obesity (abdominal fat) is also considered. In Korea, this is defined as:
- Men: ≥ 90 cm
- Women: ≥ 85 cm
Why BMI and Not Just Weight?
Using BMI is more accurate than just looking at weight in kilograms because it takes height into account. A person who weighs 80 kg might be considered overweight if they are short, but healthy if they are tall. BMI helps to standardize these variations.
Example:
Let's say a person is 175 cm (1.75 meters) tall. To have a BMI of 25, their weight would need to be:
Weight = BMI (Height in meters)²
Weight = 25 (1.75)²
Weight = 25 * 3.0625
Weight = 76.56 kg (approximately)
So, for someone who is 175 cm tall, weighing around 76.56 kg or more would classify them as overweight in Korea.
In Summary: The definition of overweight in Korea depends on a person's BMI, not just their weight in kilograms. A BMI of 25 or greater indicates that someone is overweight according to Korean standards. Waist circumference is also used as an indicator of abdominal obesity.
