A revised definition of obesity, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, aims to provide a more accurate picture of the health risks associated with excess body fat. The new approach focuses on adiposity, or body fat, rather than relying solely on body mass index (BMI).
The proposal divides obesity into two categories: preclinical and clinical. Preclinical obesity refers to having extra body fat but maintaining normal organ function, while clinical obesity involves excessive fat that harms organs and tissues.
The shift in definition could improve clinical care, public health policies, and societal attitudes toward obesity. Experts say the new approach will help identify individuals who need help with weight loss, rather than those who are misdiagnosed as obese due to their muscle mass or body composition.
The revised definition takes into account various factors, including waist circumference, body scans, standard laboratory tests, medical history, and daily activities. Personalized assessments also consider age, gender, ethnicity, and individual health risks.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1 billion people worldwide live with obesity, linked to approximately 5 million deaths annually from related disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The revised definition could help address this global problem by providing a more accurate picture of obesity’s impact on individuals’ health.
Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00123-1