What is the medical term for excess body fat?

The medical term for excess body fat is obesity. This term is specifically used in clinical settings to describe a condition where an individual has an excessive amount of body fat, which is often assessed using body mass index (BMI) calculations, among other measures. Obesity is associated with a higher risk of various health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, making it a significant public health concern.

Other terms, such as overweight, may be used to describe individuals who weigh more than what is considered normal for their height but do not necessarily have the same degree of excess body fat as those classified as obese. Underweight refers to individuals whose body weight is considered below the normal range, while healthy weight indicates a weight that is deemed appropriate for a person's height and body composition, excluding both underweight and overweight conditions.