Overweight and obesity are important characteristics to describe the health status of a population. Obesity is a risk factor for certain diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and joint and back problems.
A commonly used measure for classifying overweight and obesity in adults is the body mass index (BMI). It is defined as the ratio of body weight in kilograms to the height in metres squared. According to the WHO classification, adults are divided into underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight (18.5 to 24.9), overweight (25.0 to 29.9) and obese (BMI ≥ 30.0). It should be noted that self-reported body weight is often underestimated, whereas body height is overestimated.
The results come from the Austrian Health Interview Survey (ATHIS), which is held every six years from 2019 (previously 2006/07 and 2014).