The Facts
A commission of 58 international medical experts has published new guidelines in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology that fundamentally redefine obesity, moving beyond the traditional Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement to focus on how excess fat affects organ function and daily activities.
The new framework establishes two distinct categories — "clinical obesity," a chronic disease with ongoing organ dysfunction or reduced ability to perform daily activities, and "pre-clinical obesity," characterized by excess body fat without current health complications.
The Spin
Narrative A
The new definition provides a more nuanced and accurate approach to obesity diagnosis, moving away from the outdated BMI system to focus on actual health impacts. This change will help reduce stigma, prevent unnecessary treatment for healthy individuals, and ensure those with genuine health complications receive appropriate care.
Narrative B
Implementing these diagnostic criteria may prove challenging and impractical for health care systems already struggling with limited resources. Despite its flaws, the current BMI system remains an established predictor of health risks and provides a simple, cost-effective screening tool that has proven valuable over decades.
