Being overweight and being obese - are there any differences?

Actually, it's just a question of degree. Both terms refer to having a body weight that is in excess of what is considered healthy and normal.

You must have heard of something called the "Body Mass Index" or BMI. The terms overweight and obesity are applied to specific ranges of BMI, as far as adults are concerned.

In general, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal and healthy. When a person's BMI is in the 25 - 29.9 range, he is considered to be overweight. And if the BMI crosses 30, he is considered obese.

When someone is labeled overweight or obese, it can also mean that they have a greater-than-normal risk of developing many kinds of health problems, including heart problems.