he is obese

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "He is obese" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a person who is significantly overweight. For example, "John is obese and has struggled to lose weight for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He is obese.

The New York Times - Sports

A man with a BMI below 23 may face a wage penalty, but a man with a BMI above it probably won't - even if he is obese.

Forbes

The boy will only count as an absolute borderline case of 'obese' if no possible method of inquiry could settle whether he is obese.

SEP

While a man racks up $2,646 annually in extra expenses if he is obese, a woman's obesity costs her $4,879, almost twice as much.

The New York Times - Health

For instance, a boy may count as a borderline case of 'obese' because people cannot tell whether he is obese just by looking at him.

SEP

Mariano later defended herself in an interview with Bloomberg, saying that "you don't have to be a doctor to see that he is obese".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

No scale was needed to judge that he was obese.

The New York Times

In the end, though, doctors diagnosed him with Asperger's Syndrome and told him he was obese.

Vice

This coincided with his own reluctant acceptance, after checking his personal details on a government website, that at almost 225 pounds he was obese.

HuffPost

He was obese with a body mass index of 34; according to the mother, obesity has been present since the age of 6 7 years as a result of uninhibited eating behavior.

European Journal of Human Genetics

He's obese.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he is obese", consider the context and audience. It's a direct statement, so ensure it's appropriate for the situation. In medical or scientific contexts, it's perfectly acceptable, but in more casual or sensitive settings, consider softer alternatives like "he is overweight".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "he is obese" in casual conversation or when discussing someone's appearance in a judgmental way. It's a clinical term and can be offensive if not used with sensitivity. Focus instead on health or lifestyle factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is obese" functions as a declarative statement identifying a person's condition. Ludwig confirms that the sentence is grammatically correct and suitable for describing someone with a significant excess of body fat. The examples provided show it used factually in news, scientific, and academic contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is obese" is a grammatically correct way to describe someone who has a significant amount of excess body fat. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While the phrase is commonly used in news, scientific, and academic contexts, it is important to consider the sensitivity of the term "obese" and use it appropriately. Alternative phrases, such as "he is severely overweight" or "he has a high BMI", may be more suitable in certain situations. The key is to use the phrase responsibly and with awareness of its potential impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he suffers from obesity

Focuses on the condition of obesity as a medical issue.

he is severely overweight

Uses a more descriptive term for weight.

he has a high BMI

Uses a specific metric to indicate weight status.

he is carrying excess weight

Focuses on the burden of extra weight.

he is heavy

A more general term for weight.

he is large

A broader term that can refer to overall size.

he is stout

Implies a thickset build.

he struggles with his weight

Highlights the ongoing effort to manage weight.

he has a weight problem

Indicates that weight is a concern.

he is corpulent

A more formal term for being overweight.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone is described as "he is obese"?

When someone is described as "he is obese", it means that person has a very high amount of body fat in relation to their lean body mass. Obesity is a medical condition that can lead to other health problems.

Is it better to say "he is obese" or "he is overweight"?

The choice between "he is obese" and "he is overweight" depends on the context and the degree of weight excess. "Obese" is a more severe classification than "overweight". In medical settings, "he is obese" is used when BMI is 30 or higher. If you're unsure, it is better to avoid direct labels, focusing instead of health and lifestyle.

What are some less direct ways to say "he is obese"?

If you want to be less direct, you can say "he is severely overweight", "he has a high BMI", or "he is carrying excess weight".

Are there situations where it is inappropriate to say "he is obese"?

Yes, it's generally inappropriate to use "he is obese" in casual conversation or in a judgmental way. It's best used in medical or factual contexts. In personal settings, consider more sensitive language or avoid commenting on someone's weight altogether.