ylipainoinen

Ylipainoinen is a Finnish adjective meaning overweight or obese. It is used to describe a person or an animal whose body weight exceeds what is regarded as healthy. The noun form is ylipaino, and the adjective is formed from the stem paino (weight) with the prefix yli- (over) and the ending -inen. In everyday language, ylipainoinen can refer to someone who is moderately overweight or more severely obese, depending on context.

In medical and public health contexts, overweight and obesity are commonly defined using body mass index (BMI). In Finland, as in international usage, a BMI of 25.0–29.9 is categorized as ylipaino (overweight) and a BMI of 30.0 or higher as lihavuus (obesity). The term ylipainoinen can therefore describe people in either category. BMI is a convenient screening tool but has limitations; it does not distinguish between fat and muscle mass or fat distribution, and risk varies with age, sex, and other factors. Measurements such as waist circumference and metabolic indicators are also considered.

Socially, the label ylipainoinen can carry stigma or bias, and many health professionals advocate respectful, person-centered language, for example saying "henkilö, jolla on ylipainoa" (a person with overweight) rather than labeling the person by the condition alone. Management generally emphasizes a combination of diet, physical activity, behavioral support, and, in some cases, medical or surgical interventions, tailored to the individual's health profile and preferences.