One of the most important topics today is global food security. According to information from the UN (United Nations), just over 800 million people suffer from hunger in the world, most of them in South Asia and Africa. This entire population lives in conditions of malnutrition and malnutrition, that is, underweight.
However, a paradox has been taking place, confusing the minds of scholars: the population is becoming increasingly obese. In Brazil, in 2004, approximately 39 million people were overweight and of these, 10.5 million were obese.
According to the IBGE, it is necessary to be aware of the following: “being underweight does not always indicate malnutrition. Malnutrition can also be present in obesity, when the necessary nutrients are lacking.” That is, when a person, in their daily diet, starts to consume low-nutrient foods, such as fats and fried foods, instead of healthy foods, such as rice, beans, fruits, vegetables and vegetables.
But which parameter is used to calculate malnutrition or obesity?
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The most effective method to assess the health of the population is through the Body Mass Index (BMI). For the World Health Organization (WHO), the ideal BMI is between 18.5 and 25. Below 18.5, the person is considered malnourished; from 25 to 30, it is considered overweight; and over 30, obese.
This index, BMI, is obtained through a simple mathematical equation: just divide your weight (in kilograms) by your squared height (meters). For example, if your weight is 80kg and your height is 1.80m, we will have the following equation:
= 
= 24,69
Therefore, this index indicates that you are in ideal nutritional conditions, neither underweight nor obese.
However, it is noteworthy that the BMI is only a parameter. It is necessary to have healthy habits, with a diet rich in nutrients, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, especially with the practice of sports.
By Regis Rodrigues
Graduated in Geography
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
ALMEIDA, Regis Rodrigues de. "What is obesity?"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/saude-na-escola/o-que-obesidade.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
