Final answer:
Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) higher than 30, with 25 to 29.9 being classified as overweight. Morbid obesity is defined as a BMI of 40 or more, or 35 or more with associated health conditions. The BMI is a useful tool but may not accurately reflect body composition in individuals such as athletes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) higher than 30. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is B. 30. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 classifies an individual as overweight, but not obese. When a person reaches a BMI of 30 or more, they are considered to be obese. This measurement is a simple and widely used method to categorize weight status—though it does not directly measure body fat, it correlates with direct measures of body fat. Obesity is a condition that can lead to numerous health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.
Furthermore, morbid obesity is categorized as having a BMI of 40 or more, or 35 or more in the presence of obesity-related health conditions. It's essential to recognize that while BMI is a useful indicator for the general population, it might not accurately reflect an individual's body composition, such as in the case of athletes with high muscle mass.