For years, medical experts have defined obesity primarily based on body mass index (BMI), which measures stored fat by calculating height and weight. However, a recent proposal by an international commission suggests a revised definition of obesity that focuses on how excess body fat affects the body, rather than just calculating BMI.
The new definition, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, proposes using BMI as part of an initial screen to determine who should be assessed for excess body fat, along with measuring waist circumference, determining the waist-to-hip ratio, or using special equipment to figure out body fat percentage.
The commission also proposes differentiating those who have obesity into two groups: those who are “clinically obese,” defined as those who already have signs of obesity affecting their body systems, and those who are “pre-clinically obese,” defined as those who have obesity but whose obesity is not yet causing additional disease processes.
Dr. Leana Wen, a CNN wellness expert and emergency physician, believes that the new definition could change clinical care by allowing medical providers to treat individuals with obesity more precisely, and by reducing stigma around the condition. She notes that the new definition could also help to direct people with downstream consequences of obesity to receive needed medical care sooner.
However, Dr. Wen also points out that the new definition may not be widely adopted immediately, as BMI is a deeply ingrained part of clinical practice and research. She suggests that patients who want to go beyond the BMI measurement should ask their healthcare providers to measure their adiposity, such as by measuring waist circumference, and discuss the health consequences associated with obesity.
Overall, the proposed revised definition of obesity could lead to a shift in the way that medical providers approach the condition, and could potentially lead to more targeted and effective treatment.
