Tamara Thomas

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<p>A new commission report in <em><a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(24)00316-4/abstract">The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology</a></em> proposes a more precise way of diagnosing obesity—beyond simply using body mass index (BMI). Instead, the commission, comprising 58 global experts and individuals with lived experience, calls for “clinical obesity” to be recognized as a chronic illness that directly impairs tissues or organ function. This shift in focus acknowledges that people with excess adiposity (body fat) can have very different health statuses, even with similar BMIs.</p>
<p>Current reliance on BMI alone can underestimate or overestimate actual body fat, making it unreliable for determining an individual’s health. Therefore, the commission recommends confirming obesity status either with direct measurements of body fat or with multiple indicators (such as waist circumference) in addition to BMI. Where BMI is extremely high—greater than 40 kg/m²—excess adiposity can typically be assumed without further testing.</p>
<p>The report defines two key categories: <strong>“preclinical obesity,”</strong> where excess body fat exists but organ function remains intact, and <strong>“clinical obesity,”</strong> where organ or tissue dysfunction has already occurred due to obesity, or substantial limitations in daily life are present. Patients with “clinical obesity” should receive timely, evidence-based treatments aimed at improving or reversing these complications before they escalate to life-threatening conditions like heart attack or stroke. People identified as having “preclinical obesity” are encouraged to undergo regular health counseling and targeted interventions to lessen their risk of disease progression.</p>
<div>Importantly, the commission urges policymakers and health authorities to recognize obesity as a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition, rather than blaming individuals for their struggles with weight. The report highlights that weight bias and stigma continue to obstruct public health strategies and deter people from seeking care. Moving beyond BMI-focused health policies, the commission argues, will allow for more accurate screening, tailored interventions, and a significant reduction in obesity-associated complications.</div>
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<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Source: <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(24)00316-4/abstract">Lancet Endocrinology &amp; Endocrinology</a></div>


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The commission urges health authorities to recognize obesity as a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition

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