Which BMI category has moderate risk of chronic disease?

Which BMI category has moderate risk of chronic disease?

• A. 40 kg/m² or more
• B. 30.0-34.9 kg/m²
• C. 18.5-24.9 kg/m²
• D. 25.0-29.9 kg/m²

Answer: (B)

Understanding how BMI relates to disease risk helps explain why this range is labeled moderate. BMI tracks overall body fat and its impact on health. Normal weight (18.5–24.9) is associated with lower risk, while overweight (25–29.9) carries increased risk. Obesity begins at 30.0, and within obesity, the 30.0–34.9 range (obesity class I) is viewed as moderate risk because it represents a meaningful excess of body fat that raises the chances of conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, and heart disease compared with normal weight, but the risk is lower than in more severe obesity ranges (35.0–39.9 and 40.0+).

Understanding how BMI relates to disease risk helps explain why this range is labeled moderate. BMI tracks overall body fat and its impact on health. Normal weight (18.5–24.9) is associated with lower risk, while overweight (25–29.9) carries increased risk. Obesity begins at 30.0, and within obesity, the 30.0–34.9 range (obesity class I) is viewed as moderate risk because it represents a meaningful excess of body fat that raises the chances of conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, and heart disease compared with normal weight, but the risk is lower than in more severe obesity ranges (35.0–39.9 and 40.0+).