Obesity Classification (Class I, II, III)
A BMI-based grading of obesity severity that guides which weight-loss treatments are appropriate.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
A way doctors grade how much excess weight a person carries using BMI. Class I is mild, Class II moderate, and Class III the most severe, sometimes called severe or morbid obesity.
Medical
Clinical Definition
A severity grading of obesity by body mass index: Class I (BMI 30.0 to 34.9), Class II (35.0 to 39.9), and Class III (40 and above). In Asian populations, including Singapore, lower BMI cut-offs are often applied because of higher cardiometabolic risk at equivalent BMI. Classification guides eligibility for medical and surgical weight-loss interventions.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
Knowing your obesity class helps determine which treatments, from lifestyle to medication to surgery, are appropriate and safe for you. Dr. Joseph Wang can calculate your class and explain the options suited to it.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: August 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.
