A certain amount of body fat is necessary for insulation, protection of the organs, energy, and natural body functions. However, excess body fat can become dangerous.

Most health care providers agree that men with more than 25 percent body fat and women with more than 30 percent body fat are obese.

Having a lot of body fat isn’t the sole reason for concern. Most health care providers are also concerned with where the fat is located. If you carry fat mainly around your waist (apple shape), you are more likely to develop obesity-related health problems, since the fat is located closer to your heart. Women with a waist measurement of more than 35 inches or men with a waist measurement of more than 40 inches have a higher health risk because of their fat distribution.

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