Obesity is a complex disorder involving an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity isn’t just a cosmetic concern. It increases your risk of diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Being extremely obese means you are especially likely to have health problems related to your weight.

The most commonly used measure of weight status today is the body mass index, or BMI. BMI uses a simple calculation based on the ratio of someone’s height and weight (BMI = kg/m²).

What’s considered a healthy BMI?

• For adult men and women, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy
• Overweight is defined as a BMI between 25.0 and 29.9; and a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese

As in adults, obesity is also a growing problem in children and adolescents. Because children grow at different rates, depending on their age and gender, the definitions of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents differ from those in adults.

In the U.S., for example, the definition is based on standard growth charts developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In children and adolescents age 2 to 20 years old, a BMI in the 85^th to 94^th percentiles for age and gender is considered overweight; a BMI in the 95^th percentile or higher is considered obese.

Clinical Information Related to Obesity and Medical Marijuana

• The Endocannabinoid System: Directing Eating Behavior and Macronutrient Metabolism