What amount of weight loss over three months is classified as severe?

Weight loss is classified as severe when it exceeds 7.5% of an individual's baseline body weight within a period of three months. This threshold is significant because it indicates a potential risk for underlying health issues or malnutrition. Losing more than this percentage can lead to adverse health effects and may signal that the body is not receiving adequate nutrition or that there may be other medical conditions at play.

While weight loss of 5% and 7.5% can be notable, they do not indicate the same level of concern as a loss greater than 7.5%. A weight loss of 10% may also be concerning, but it falls under the broader category of severe loss as it is greater than 7.5%. The key factor is that the classification of severe weight loss specifically requires a loss greater than 7.5% to reflect the potential health implications.