Is a 220 pound person considered obese?

Whether someone who weighs 220 pounds is considered obese depends largely on that person's height and body mass index as well as his percentage of body fat. For instance, a 5 foot 7 inch person who weighs 220 pounds has a BMI of 34.45, which is considered obese.

A 6 foot 4 inch person who weighs 220 pounds might only be considered overweight, with a BMI in the 27 range. The BMI measurement is not always accurate for people who are short or very muscular. Someone who is 5 feet 10 inches and weighs 220 pounds would be considered obese according to his BMI, but that person might only have 12 percent body fat, a very low percentage that would never be considered obese.