A group of 58 researchers has published new recommendations on measuring obesity in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. According to the report, body mass index (BMI) is no longer considered an ideal measure of obesity due to its limitations.
The Commission on Clinical Obesity proposes a “reframing” of obesity that distinguishes between people with excess body fat and those at risk for future disease. The researchers recommend using two levels of obesity: preclinical and clinical.
Preclinical obesity refers to excess body fat that has not affected the function of tissues and organs. People with this condition may have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
Clinical obesity, on the other hand, is characterized by chronic illness and severe end-organ damage. This condition can lead to life-threatening complications such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.
The researchers also suggest using alternative measures of body size, such as waist circumference or body scans, to assess adiposity. Clinicians should thoroughly assess individuals with obesity in the clinic and use other measures to understand if an increased BMI level is due to excess body fat or other reasons.
Dr. Francesco Rubino, chair of bariatric and metabolic surgery at King’s College London, emphasizes that obesity is a complex problem and cannot be reduced to a single definition. The researchers call for future studies into these diagnoses and encourage clinicians to use evidence-based health counseling and monitoring to reduce the risk of developing clinical obesity.
Dr. Brett Osborn, a neurosurgeon and longevity expert, agrees that BMI is an “outdated measure” for diagnosing obesity and suggests looking at factors like inflammation, insulin resistance, and glucose tolerance instead. He recommends using body composition metrics, metabolic markers, and personalized assessments to accurately diagnose obesity and tailor interventions to each individual.
The researchers’ new recommendations aim to provide a more nuanced understanding of obesity and its effects on the body.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/bmi-wrong-way-measure-obesity-researchers-say-heres-what-recommend-instead