Obesity vs. Fat — What's the Difference?

A state with increased risk for various diseases and health conditions.

A natural oily substance occurring in animal bodies, especially when deposited as a layer under the skin.

Excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health.

Substance in food, consisting of lipids, often linked to weight gain when consumed excessively.

Excess body fat to the extent that it may have a negative effect on health.

A component of the body, important for insulation and protection of organs.

A medical condition often assessed by body mass index (BMI).

In nutrition, biology, and chemistry, fat usually means any ester of fatty acids, or a mixture of such compounds, most commonly those that occur in living beings or in food.The term often refers specifically to triglycerides (triple esters of glycerol), that are the main components of vegetable oils and of fatty tissue in animals; or, even more narrowly, to triglycerides that are solid or semisolid at room temperature, thus excluding oils. The term may also be used more broadly as a synonym of lipid—any substance of biological relevance, composed of carbon, hydrogen, or oxygen, that is insoluble in water but soluble in non-polar solvents.

A chronic health condition often requiring medical intervention.

A natural oily substance occurring in animal bodies, especially when deposited as a layer under the skin or around certain organs

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to an extent that it may have a negative effect on health. People are generally considered obese when their body mass index (BMI), a measurement obtained by dividing a person's weight by the square of the person's height—despite known allometric inaccuracies—is over 30 kg/m2; the range 25–30 kg/m2 is defined as overweight.

Any of a group of natural esters of glycerol and various fatty acids, which are solid at room temperature and are the main constituents of animal and vegetable fat

The condition of being obese; increased body weight caused by excessive accumulation of fat.

(of a person or animal) having a large amount of excess flesh

(pathology) The state of being obese due to an excess of body fat.

Large in bulk or circumference

The state or quality of being obese; excessive body weight; incumbrance of flesh.

Make or become fat

More than average fatness

The ester of glycerol and one, two, or three fatty acids.

Any of various soft, solid, or semisolid organic compounds constituting the esters of glycerol and fatty acids and their associated organic groups.

A mixture of such compounds occurring widely in organic tissue, especially in the adipose tissue of animals and in the seeds, nuts, and fruits of plants.

Animal tissue containing such substances.

A solidified animal or vegetable oil.

Obesity; corpulence

Unnecessary excess

Having much or too much fat or flesh; plump or obese.

Full of fat or oil; greasy.

Abounding in desirable elements

Fertile or productive; rich

Having an abundance or amplitude; well-stocked

Yielding profit or plenty; lucrative or rewarding

Prosperous; wealthy

Thick; large

Puffed up; swollen

To make or become fat; fatten.

Carrying more fat than usual on one's body; plump; not lean or thin.

Thick; large.

Bulbous; rotund.

Bountiful.

Oily; greasy; unctuous; rich said of food.

(obsolete) Exhibiting the qualities of a fat animal; coarse; heavy; gross; dull; stupid.

Fertile; productive.

Rich; producing a large income; desirable.

Abounding in riches; affluent; fortunate.

Of a character which enables the compositor to make large wages; said of matter containing blank, cuts, or many leads, etc.

(golf) Being a shot in which the ground is struck before the ball.

(theatre) Of a role: significant; major; meaty.

Alternative form of phat

(uncountable) A specialized animal tissue with high lipid content, used for long-term storage of energy: fat tissue.

Such tissue as food: the fatty portion of (or trimmings from) meat cuts.

(countable) A lipid that is solid at room temperature, which fat tissue contains and which is also found in the blood circulation; sometimes, a refined substance chemically resembling such naturally occurring lipids.

That part of an organization deemed wasteful.

(slang) An erection.

(golf) A poorly played shot where the ball is struck by the top part of the club head. (see also thin, shank, toe)

The best or richest productions; the best part.

Work containing much blank, or its equivalent, and therefore profitable to the compositor.

A fat person.

A beef cattle fattened for sale.

(obsolete) A large tub or vessel for water, wine, or other liquids; a cistern.

(obsolete) A dry measure, generally equal to nine bushels.

To make fat; to fatten.

To become fat; to fatten.

To hit a golf ball with a fat shot.

A large tub, cistern, or vessel; a vat.

A measure of quantity, differing for different commodities.

An oily liquid or greasy substance making up the main bulk of the adipose tissue of animals, and widely distributed in the seeds of plants. See Adipose tissue, under Adipose.

The best or richest productions; the best part; as, to live on the fat of the land.

Work. containing much blank, or its equivalent, and, therefore, profitable to the compositor.

Abounding with fat

Exhibiting the qualities of a fat animal; coarse; heavy; gross; dull; stupid.

Fertile; productive; as, a fat soil; a fat pasture.

Rich; producing a large income; desirable; as, a fat benefice; a fat office; a fat job.

Abounding in riches; affluent; fortunate.

Of a character which enables the compositor to make large wages; - said of matter containing blank, cuts, or many leads, etc.; as, a fat take; a fat page.

To make fat; to fatten; to make plump and fleshy with abundant food; as, to fat fowls or sheep.

To grow fat, plump, and fleshy.

A soft greasy substance occurring in organic tissue and consisting of a mixture of lipids (mostly triglycerides);

A kind of body tissue containing stored fat that serves as a source of energy; adipose tissue also cushions and insulates vital organs;

Excess bodily weight;

Make fat or plump;

Having much flesh (especially fat);

Having a relatively large diameter;

Containing or composed of fat;

Lucrative;

Marked by great fruitfulness;

A chubby body;

An essential nutrient for the body, providing energy.

The term often used in social contexts, sometimes derogatorily, to describe excessive body weight.

Obesity is having an excessive amount of body fat that affects health, not just extra fat.

No, certain types of dietary fat are essential and beneficial for health.

Yes, through exercise, one can gain muscle and lose fat, keeping the same weight.

No, body fat is essential for many bodily functions; it’s only harmful in excess.

While obesity increases the risk of health issues, it doesn't guarantee them.

Yes, obesity is a medical term and someone may be classified as obese based on BMI, not just appearance.

No, there are different types of fats in food, some healthier than others.

Yes, even skinny people can have unhealthy body fat percentages.

Body fat percentage can provide more specific information about body composition than BMI.

Yes, if it includes healthy fats and is balanced, it can be healthy.

Muscle is denser than fat, so it weighs more by volume.

Yes, BMI doesn’t account for muscle mass, fat distribution, or overall health.

Yes, genetics can play a role in obesity, but lifestyle factors are also crucial.

Yes, stress can lead to behaviors that contribute to obesity.

Yes, through lifestyle changes, obesity can often be reversed.