Experts Call for Overhaul of Obesity Diagnostic Criteria

A global commission recommends moving beyond BMI to better address health risks and improve treatment strategies for obesity.

Current reliance on BMI as the primary diagnostic tool for obesity is criticized for failing to reflect true health risks and fat distribution.
New guidelines propose incorporating waist measurements, fat distribution ratios, or direct fat assessments for more accurate diagnoses.
A two-tiered framework is suggested, distinguishing 'clinical obesity' with organ dysfunction from 'preclinical obesity' with elevated risks but no chronic conditions.
The recommendations aim to optimize care by tailoring treatment strategies and prioritizing resources for different obesity stages.
Critics express concerns that the new definitions may limit access to early interventions, especially for children and adolescents.