What counts as fat? ——Comprehensive analysis from health standards to social cognition
In today's society, "obesity" has become a hot topic of frequent discussion. With the improvement of health awareness and the diversification of aesthetic concepts, people's understanding of "what counts as fat" is also constantly changing. This article will combine the latest health data and Internet hot spots to provide you with a comprehensive analysis of the definition of "obesity" from the three dimensions of scientific standards, social cognition and health management.
1. Obesity standards from a medical perspective

The World Health Organization (WHO) and medical institutions in various countries usually use the following indicators to define obesity:
| Evaluation indicators | normal range | Overweight standard | Obesity standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMI index | 18.5-23.9 | 24-27.9 | ≥28 |
| Waist circumference (Asian men) | <85cm | 85-90cm | ≥90cm |
| Waist (Asian women) | <80cm | 80-85cm | ≥85cm |
| Body fat percentage (men) | 15-20% | 21-24% | ≥25% |
| Body fat percentage (women) | 25-30% | 31-34% | ≥35% |
It is worth noting that there are limitations to the BMI index, and muscular people may be misjudged as overweight. A recent study published in The Lancet pointed out that combining body fat percentage and waist-to-hip ratio can more accurately assess obesity risk.
2. Inventory of popular weight loss topics on the Internet
By analyzing social platform data in the past 10 days, the following hot discussions have been sorted out:
| platform | hot topics | amount of discussion | core ideas |
|---|---|---|---|
| #BMI22 is the best weight# | 128,000 | Multiple studies show BMI22 has the lowest mortality rate | |
| Douyin | "Slightly fat is yyds" | 98 million views | Young people’s aesthetic trends tend to be diversified |
| little red book | Body fat comparison chart of fitness bloggers | 52,000 collections | Visual differences between people with the same weight and different body types |
| Zhihu | "Why some people never look fat" | 4200 answers | Discuss the relationship between fat distribution and genes |
3. Cultural Differences in Obesity Perceptions
There are significant differences in the standards for identifying obesity in different cultures:
| area | Ideal BMI range | social attitudes | typical view |
|---|---|---|---|
| European and American countries | 20-25 | More inclusive | 'Body positivity movement' on the rise |
| East Asia | 18-22 | more stringent | The "weight loss curse" phenomenon has emerged in South Korea in recent years |
| Middle East | 23-28 | The traditional concept is that plumpness is more beautiful | The custom of gaining weight still exists in some areas |
4. Scientific advice on health management
1.comprehensive assessment: Don’t just rely on weight figures, but combine multi-dimensional data such as body fat percentage, waist circumference, and muscle mass.
2.step by step: The World Health Organization recommends losing no more than 0.5-1kg per week. Rapid weight loss is easy to rebound.
3.Focus on metabolic health: The latest research found that about 30% of obese people have normal metabolic indicators, while 15% of lean people have metabolic problems.
4.psychological adjustment: The 2023 National Health Survey report shows that 47% of people who lose weight have anxiety, and mental health is equally important.
5. Expert opinions
The director of the Endocrinology Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital said in a recent interview: "Obesity is essentially a chronic metabolic disease and should not be judged simply by appearance. We are more concerned about whether patients have complications such as elevated blood pressure, abnormal blood sugar, and fatty liver. For some people with excessive BMI but healthy metabolism, excessive weight loss may cause harm."
Conclusion
There is no universal answer to the question "What counts as fat?" While pursuing health, we must also establish a diverse body understanding. As advocated by the recent hot topic on the Internet, #和 Body Reconciliation, it is more meaningful to understand scientific standards, pay attention to one's own feelings, and establish sustainable health habits than to get obsessed with weight numbers.
Final reminder: The data in this article are for reference only. Please consult a professional medical institution for specific health assessment.
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