In a groundbreaking move to redefine obesity, a group of global experts is advocating for a more comprehensive approach to diagnosing the condition, shifting away from the controversial body mass index (BMI) alone. Their proposal, released on Tuesday, includes combining BMI with other indicators like waist circumference and evidence of related health problems to more accurately identify those in need of treatment for obesity-related diseases.
The new criteria, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal, introduce two diagnostic categories: clinical obesity and pre-clinical obesity. Clinical obesity refers to individuals who meet BMI criteria and exhibit complications such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or joint pain, while pre-clinical obesity applies to those at risk but without current health issues.
Obesity currently affects over 1 billion people worldwide, with approximately 40% of U.S. adults diagnosed with the condition. Dr. David Cummings, a leading obesity expert from the University of Washington, emphasized that the goal of this new definition is to target individuals who truly need medical intervention. The new approach acknowledges that BMI can be misleading, particularly for athletes or those with high muscle mass, and offers a more nuanced understanding of obesity’s impact on health.
While the proposal has been endorsed by over 75 medical organizations worldwide, experts acknowledge the challenges in implementing the new criteria, including cost and logistical hurdles. Nevertheless, it marks an important first step toward a more precise and meaningful definition of obesity.
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