The weight of a human being is measured between optimal ranges depending on factors like height and bone thickness. When weight goes beyond these limits then it is called overweight. Obesity is the stage following one of extra weight wherein the weight and fat content of the body is high enough to cause other medical problems. Obesity itself has a wide range from mild to extreme.

In order to know the difference between overweight and obesity in adults you have to make use of the Body Mass Index (BMI) against the person's height. BMI is a direct measure of how much fat the body has.

An overweight condition is defined when the adult has a BMI between 25 and 29.9. A BMI higher than 30 is categorized as obesity.

You can calculate the Body Mass Index using weight in kilograms and height in meters or centimeters. BMI is simply the weight in kilograms divided by the height in meters.

What to do to prevent gaining extra weight and avoiding obesity?

The first and more important step is to increase your amount of physical activity. This will naturally increase the number of calories you use per day. It is recommended that you have a minimum of 30-60 minutes of physical activity every day.

You may need to go for a strenuous cardio workout if there is a lot of weight to lose. Sustained weight loss does not come easily and takes a long time and hard work. If you are already obese then your cardio training will have to be mixed with weight training and a new diet plan.

For those people that have jobs that do not involve any physical activity and they do not have time for the gym it may be wise to engage in some leisure activity like biking, swimming, skating, tennis, dancing, or aerobics.

While increasing physical activity, it is also a good idea to cut down on sedentary activities like television and video games. Most busy people spend an average of 3 hours in front of the television. This time can be better channeled into exercise.

Have your meals with your family but away from the television. Also cut down on the amount of sugar and calories in your food. Switch to healthier options like whole grains and cut out all processed food. When planning weight loss you must never go through a restrictive diet. The idea is to eat smart and not to simply eat less. Set a target to eat at least 5 small meals comprising of fresh fruits and salads every day. Never eat in front of the television if you are planning weight loss.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and must be packed with as many nutrients as you can get in it.

Keep your body hydrated at all times by drinking lots of water. Avoid artificial beverages like soft drinks. Instead choose natural juices with no sugar additives. You can also find lots of fat free milk.