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Is a BMI of 35 morbidly obese? (for females and males)

Is a BMI of 35 morbidly obese? (for females and males)

A BMI of 35 is the first body mass index score in the class 2 obesity category. This means that a person who has a BMI of 35 is considered to be severely obese.

Those with a 35 BMI score are in danger of becoming morbidly obese if they gain any more weight. As such, a BMI 35 individual should talk to their doctor so that they can formulate a weight loss plan that has a high chance of success.

Related BMI Posts:

Is a BMI of 35 obese for a woman?

A BMI 35 female measuring her stomach

Is a BMI of 35 obese for a woman? Yes, a BMI of 35 is considered to be severely obese for a woman. A female who has a 35 BMI score has a body mass index that’s around six points higher than average.

We know for a fact that obesity is linked with many serious diseases. [1] Many scientists would, in fact, consider obesity a disease in its own right.

Regardless of classifications, a body mass index of thirty-five is far too high for a woman to live in good health.

While some women are naturally bigger than others, you simply can’t walk around with a body mass index of 35 and expect to have a high quality of life from a physical health standpoint.

Is it bad for a man to have a 35 BMI?

A 35 BMI man measuring his overweight belly

Is it bad for a man to have a 35 BMI? It’s definitely bad for a man to have a BMI of 35 because a body mass index of 35 is considered severely obese for males.

While eating healthier is important, men with a 35 BMI also need to eat in a caloric deficit so that they can reduce their BMI. 

A calorie deficit of up to 40% may be recommended for extremely obese individuals so that they can get their body weight into a healthier range as efficiently as possible.

You can also create a calorie deficit by expending more energy, i.e., by working out or simply just moving your body more.

BMI 35 categories

The formula for calculating BMI

When you enter your weight and height into a BMI calculator, you’ll likely get a decimal value such as 35.5 or 35.8.

35.1 BMI

A BMI of 35.1 is on the low end of the severely obese category, which likely means that a person with a 35.1 BMI is risking their health by being so heavy.

35.2 BMI

If you have a BMI of 35.2, then you’ll need to lose weight in order to improve your physical health, which you can do by performing regular exercise and eating in a moderate-to-aggressive calorie deficit.

35.3 BMI

Those who have a BMI of 35.3 are carrying too much body fat, whether that be due to inactivity, overeating, illness, genetics, or a combination of all of these things.

35.4 BMI

If you’ve got a 35.4 BMI, then you need to lose body fat in order to become healthy again. You can track your weight loss progress by taking monthly or bi-monthly skinfold and circumference measurements.

35.5 BMI

A 35.5 BMI is much higher than average (the average is already too high!) for both men and women. Therefore, it’s critical that a person with a BMI of 35.5 doesn’t let their body mass index increase.

35.6 BMI

If you have a BMI of 35.6, then your body weight is too high for an individual of your stature. While BMI doesn’t distinguish between muscle and fat, it’s safe to say that those who are BMI 35.6 have far too much adipose tissue on their body.

35.7 BMI

A BMI of 35.7 is excessive and far too high for a person to enjoy good health. While aggressive weight loss tactics can often backfire, they might be necessary for a severely obese person to improve their health (i.e., a more aggressive calorie deficit).

35.8 BMI

People with a 35.8 BMI are risking their health, especially their long-term health, by maintaining an unsafe body weight.

35.9 BMI

If you have a BMI of 35.9, then your body mass index is well above the already-excessive average for males and females.

FAQ

Here are some common questions that people with a body mass index of 35 often have.

Is a BMI of 35 morbidly obese?

No, a BMI of 35 is not considered morbidly obese, but it is classed as severely obese. This means that a BMI 35 individual is putting their health at serious risk by having such a high body mass index.

My BMI is 35. Can I get a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that’s recommended for people who are not obese. As noted by some of the world’s leading health authorities, a tummy tuck is not a shortcut for weight loss. [2]

If you have a 35 BMI score, then your best bet is to formulate a weight loss plan with a doctor or nutritionist so that you can lose your unwanted body fat naturally.

Once you reach a healthy body weight (at which point you probably won’t even be thinking about a tummy tuck), you can see if you have any loose skin that could benefit from surgical intervention.

Why is having a BMI over 35 so bad for your health?

Having a BMI over 35 is bad for your health because people who have a body mass index over 35 are severely obese, which can lead to health problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and insulin resistance.

How many pounds does a BMI 35 person usually weigh?

Because BMI scores are based on your height and weight, it’s not possible to say how much a BMI 35 person weighs.

Still, a person who has a body mass index of thirty-five definitely weighs more than usual for someone of their height.

In conclusion: Tips for reducing a BMI of 35

As most people who have a BMI of 35 know by now, weight loss is essential if they want to improve their health and alter their body composition.

While aggressive dieting tactics don’t always work, they are often used with obese individuals when time is of the essence. 

If a given BMI is harming your health right now, then, under the supervision of a doctor, you might need to eat in a large calorie deficit to bring your weight down as efficiently as possible.

References

  1. Preza-Fernandes, J., Passos, P., Mendes-Ferreira, M., Rodrigues, A. R., Gouveia, A., Fraga, A., Medeiros, R., & Ribeiro, R. (2022). A hint for the obesity paradox and the link between obesity, perirenal adipose tissue and Renal Cell Carcinoma progression. Scientific reports12(1), 19956. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-24418-9
  2. NHS website. (2021, November 18). Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). nhs.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/tummy-tuck/