slightly overweight

USAGE SUMMARY

"slightly overweight" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe someone who is slightly heavier than average. For example, "Though she was slightly overweight, she was still very healthy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

58 normal to slightly overweight women consumed a fixed-load breakfast followed 4 h later by an ad libitum lunch.

Appetite

Impression Biochemically, we see little evolution in this slightly overweight, middle-aged patient with a history of arterial hypertension, but there is a possible suspicion of an acute infection.

Insights into Imaging

In the present paper, the benefits of a multilevel approach in multi-way analysis (nPLS-DA) will be described for the analysis of metabolomics data of a double blinded, randomized, parallel intervention trial with twenty slightly overweight men, whom received a diclofenac or placebo treatment for nine days.

Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems

It is likely that we did not see the expected weight loss, as the average body mass index at study entry was only 28.4, which is just slightly overweight, and therefore does not allow much room for improvement on this metric over the study duration.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

In contrast, our data are also in accordance with results by Sandhofer et al. who observed in a population based cross-sectional study comprising slightly overweight male and female participants of different age only a weak correlation between plasma VEGF and BMI and drew the conclusion that circulating VEGF levels have only a minor impact on the development of atherosclerosis [16].

Plosone

I'm slightly overweight.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

He says that more-recent data, covering the years 2000 to 2005, suggest that being overweight is not as bad as doctors once feared--slightly overweight people even seem to live longer than people of normal weight.

Science Magazine

In the NHANES sample, participants were slightly more overweight (77%).

Diabetes Care

Male participants were slightly more overweight than females.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

There was slightly less overweight (10.3 vs. 15.4%) and more extremely obese subjects (35.1 vs. 28.3%) in this sub-group.

BMC Pediatrics

This may be due to differences in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics in the two groups, eg, patients with foot ulcers were slightly older, overweight, and smokers.

Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing study participants, provide the Body Mass Index (BMI) range in addition to stating they are "slightly overweight" for clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using terms like "obese" or "very overweight" when "slightly overweight" is more accurate. Ensure your description aligns with the individual's BMI and physical appearance. Be mindful of the negative connotations associated with stronger terms and aim for a neutral, factual description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly overweight" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, typically used to qualify a noun (e.g., "slightly overweight women"). It indicates that the subject's weight is above the ideal range but not excessively so. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

95%

News & Media

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly overweight" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe someone who is a little heavier than average. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used in scientific and medical literature to describe study participants, often with specific BMI ranges provided for context. While generally neutral, it's important to be mindful of the social context and avoid using the term judgmentally. Alternatives like "marginally overweight" or "somewhat overweight" can also be used. When using this phrase in academic or professional writing, providing the corresponding BMI range increases clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally overweight

This alternative uses "marginally" which has a very similar meaning to "slightly", indicating a small degree of being overweight.

somewhat overweight

Using "somewhat" also conveys a similar meaning to "slightly", suggesting a moderate degree of being overweight.

a little overweight

This is a more informal way of saying "slightly overweight", still indicating a small degree.

mildly overweight

Replaces "slightly" with "mildly", maintaining the nuance of a small excess in weight.

a bit overweight

Similar to "a little overweight", this is a colloquial alternative expressing a small amount.

carrying a few extra pounds

This idiom is a more descriptive and less clinical way to say someone is slightly overweight.

in the early stages of being overweight

Describes the condition as a process, emphasizing the beginning phase.

tending toward overweight

This phrase indicates a propensity or inclination to be overweight.

having a few extra kilos

Similar to "carrying a few extra pounds", using metric units.

on the heavier side

A more general and less specific way of describing someone as slightly overweight.

FAQs

How is "slightly overweight" defined in terms of BMI?

Generally, "slightly overweight" corresponds to a BMI between 25 and 29.9. However, this can vary depending on the context and individual factors.

What are some alternative ways to say "slightly overweight"?

You can use alternatives like "marginally overweight", "somewhat overweight", or "a little overweight" depending on the context.

Is it offensive to describe someone as "slightly overweight"?

It depends on the context and your relationship with the person. Using it in a medical or scientific context is generally acceptable, but avoid using it casually or judgmentally. Consider using a more neutral phrase.

What's the difference between "overweight" and "slightly overweight"?

"Overweight" is a broader term, while "slightly overweight" indicates a less severe degree of being overweight. The distinction often relates to specific BMI ranges and associated health risks.