Overweight vs. Obesity… Is There a Difference?

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reported that out of one hundred people per group surveyed, Black people are at the top of the list for those living with obesity at 48%, Hispanics ranked second at 42 percent, and white people ranked 36 percent. What makes one group more predisposed to obesity than another? Some factors include lifestyle choices, access to healthier options (grocery stores, restaurants, farmers’ markets, etc.), culture, and tradition.

Overweight and obesity – it sounds the same, right? Contrary to popular belief, being overweight and obese are two different things! Yes, there are similarities, but they differ. Your “body mass index (BMI) is one way to tell if you are at a healthy weight, overweight, or have obesity. The BMI is a measure based on your weight in relation to your height. The greater your BMI, the greater your risk of health problems from being overweight and obese.”

So, what is classified as being overweight? An overweight person has excess heavy muscles, extra body fat, and fluids. This is more common among men. Whereas obesity pertains to the total number of excess body fat one carries and is most common among women.

Knowing where you fall on the spectrum of being “overweight vs. obese” is imperative for tackling the issues you’re facing with your body. So, the first step in overcoming weight issues is to acknowledge it! Some people are in denial, “I’m not big!” while getting a larger size in clothing because – their clothes don’t fit the same.

Regardless of how or why you’ve gained weight, or if you’re overweight or obese it’s not too late to get to the root cause of the issue.

RELATED: Why Can’t I Lose Weight?

Five foods to eat today to help with weight loss

There are so many food options that it’s natural to become overwhelmed when deciding the best ones for your weight loss journey. You hear, stay away from fruit, carbs, and meat – until the average person questions if they can eat anything!

You have to do what’s best for you and your body. Here are five food groupings that can help get you started:

Dragonfruit, grapefruit, and watermelon

Grapefruit is high in fiber and nutrients and can promote feelings of fullness. On the other hand, watermelon is a hydrating fruit with about 90 percent water. It’s beneficial in weight loss as it contains an amino acid called arginine, known to burn fat quickly.