Scientists identify six types of obese people

A study suggested people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more fall into six categories: heavy drinking males; young healthy females; the affluent and healthy elderly; the physically sick but happy elderly; the unhappy and anxious middle-aged; and those with the poorest health.

Researchers said their findings suggest clinicians and policy makers should not target obese individuals as a whole, but treat them according to which “type” they belong to.

The study, led by the University of Sheffield, analysed people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above — anyone who is 30 or more is classed as obese.