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Obesity is considered by some to be an epidemic in the United States. In general terms, obesity refers to being overweight. Perhaps the best measure of obesity is the body mass index (BMI), which is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the height in meters squared: BMI = (weight in kg)/(height in m)2. Using common USA units: BMI = ((weight in pounds)/(height in inches)2) x 703. A normal BMI ranges between 18.5 and 24.9. Values between 25 and 29.9 designate those who are “overweight.” Obesity is defined as values over 30. Obesity is of grave concern because there is an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in obese individuals. Specific obesity-related diseased (those diseases that have an increased incidence in obese individuals) include diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease, where obesity may be listed as contributory factor in deaths due to these entities. Obesity can also be considered an underlying primary cause for death, for example in cases due to dilated cardimyopathy or deep venous thrombosis with pulmonary thromboembolism. The weight of the decedent was in excess of 700 pounds.
