Greg is 5 feet three inches tall and weighs 260 pounds. His body mass index, or BMI, is 42.7. According to the standards set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Greg is
normal
obese
overweight
anorexic
The correct answer and explanation is :
Correct Answer: Obese
Explanation:
Greg’s Body Mass Index (BMI) is 42.7, which falls under the “obese” category according to the BMI classifications provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
BMI is a screening tool used to classify weight status in adults based on height and weight. It is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. Although it does not measure body fat directly, it correlates closely with more direct measures of body fat.
The CDC uses the following BMI categories for adults:
- Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
- Normal weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9
- Overweight: BMI 25.0 to 29.9
- Obese: BMI 30.0 and above
Within the obese category, there are further classifications:
- Class 1 (Moderate): BMI 30.0–34.9
- Class 2 (Severe): BMI 35.0–39.9
- Class 3 (Very severe or morbid obesity): BMI 40.0 and above
With a BMI of 42.7, Greg falls into Class 3 obesity, which is considered severe and associated with a higher risk of serious health conditions. These risks include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and certain types of cancer.
It’s also important to clarify the other answer choices:
- Normal: BMI 18.5–24.9 – Greg is well above this range.
- Overweight: BMI 25.0–29.9 – Again, Greg exceeds this range.
- Anorexic: Not a formal CDC category, but typically associated with a very low BMI (under 17), often due to an eating disorder. This clearly does not apply to Greg.
Therefore, based on his BMI, Greg is categorized as obese under the CDC guidelines.