Global Commission Proposes Clinical and Pre-Clinical Obesity Categories, Endorsed by 76 Organizations

Jan 15, 2025, 04:08 AM

A global commission of medical experts has proposed a new approach to diagnosing obesity, moving beyond the traditional reliance on Body Mass Index (BMI). The commission, consisting of 58 specialists from various fields, recommends incorporating measurements of body fat and health status to provide a more nuanced diagnosis. The proposal, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, suggests two new diagnostic categories: clinical obesity, characterized by excess fat leading to organ dysfunction and health issues, and pre-clinical obesity, where excess fat poses a health risk but without current illness. This shift aims to address the limitations of BMI, which does not account for body composition or fat distribution. The commission outlines 18 diagnostic criteria for adults and 13 for children and adolescents. The recommendations have been endorsed by 76 medical organizations worldwide, signaling a potential shift in how obesity is assessed and treated globally.