This impacts millions.
An international commission has called for a more advanced approach to diagnosing obesity, stating that relying solely on body mass index (BMI) is insufficient and can lead to misdiagnoses. In a new report published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, the Commission on Clinical Obesity emphasizes that BMI does not always accurately reflect a person’s health. Dr. Robert Eckel, a member of the commission, explained that individuals with excess body fat may not show a high BMI, causing their health issues to go unnoticed. On the other hand, those with a high BMI might still maintain normal body functions without any signs of illness.
To improve accuracy, the commission suggests several alternatives to BMI for diagnosing obesity. These include combining BMI with other body size measurements, such as waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratios, or using advanced scans to measure body fat directly. For individuals with a BMI above 40, the commission recommends assuming they are clinically obese due to the higher associated health risks.
The commission also proposes a shift in how obesity is categorized. It suggests that doctors should diagnose either clinical obesity or pre-clinical obesity, depending on whether excess weight is causing health problems. Clinical obesity would be diagnosed when clear signs of health issues, like breathlessness or joint pain, are present. Pre-clinical obesity, on the other hand, refers to individuals with excess weight who are not yet experiencing organ damage but are at increased risk for conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
The new framework aims to provide more personalized care and reduce unnecessary treatments by addressing obesity based on individual health risks. The commission believes that this more nuanced approach will allow for better prevention, management, and treatment strategies, ultimately saving healthcare resources. It also highlights the importance of reducing weight-related stigma and ensuring better education for healthcare providers and policymakers on how to address obesity effectively.
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