Overweight and Obesity
ICD-10 codes: E66.0 / E66.8 / E66.9 Description General measures Referral DESCRIPTION Overweight and obesity are abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Body mass index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults (> 19 years). It is defined as a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of
ICD-10 codes: E66.0/E66.8/E66.9
Description
General measures
Referral
DESCRIPTION
Overweight and obesity are abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health.
Body mass index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults (> 19 years). It is defined as a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of his height in meters (kg/m2).
For adults:
- overweight is a BMI ≥25 kg/m2; and
- obesity is a BMI ≥30 kg/m2.
Children aged between 5 - 19 years:
- overweight is BMI-for-age > 1 standard deviation above the WHO Growth Reference median; and
- obesity is > 2 standard deviations above the WHO Growth Reference median.
For children < 5 years of age:
- overweight is weight-for-height > 2 standard deviations above WHO Child Growth Standards median; and
- obesity is weight-for-height > 3 standard deviations above the WHO Child Growth Standards median.
GENERAL MEASURES
- maintain ideal weight, i.e. BMI ≤ 25 kg/m2.
- weight reduction, i.e. if BMI > 25 kg/m2.
- follow a prudent eating plan i.e. low fat, high fibre and unrefined carbohydrates, with fresh fruit and vegetables.
- regular moderate aerobic exercise, e.g. 30 minutes brisk walking 3 - 5 times/week (150 minutes/week).
- screen for hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidaemia, and manage appropriately (See Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes mellitus, Prevention of ischaemic heart disease and atherosclerosis).
- calculate risk of developing cardiovascular events and manage appropriately (See Prevention of ischaemic heart disease and atherosclerosis).
REFERRAL
Dietician, physiotherapist and support group, where available and relevant.
Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Primary Healthcare Level, Updated for the 2023 Edition