Why the Lancet Commission is calling for a shift beyond BMI to diagnose obesity

Health By Sumit Jha Jan 16, 2025 Read the article

For years, doctors have used Body Mass Index (BMI) to measure body fat and figure out health risks related to obesity.

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Now, a global group of experts, supported by over 75 medical organisations and published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, is suggesting a new and improved way to diagnose obesity.

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This method looks at more than just BMI—it includes other ways to measure body fat and checks for clear signs of health problems in each person.

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This approach aims to fix problems with the old way of defining and diagnosing obesity, which often left people without the care they needed.

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The experts also hope their new system will help settle the heated debate about whether obesity should be considered a disease—a topic that has divided opinions in modern medicine for years.

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With over one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, the Lancet Commission suggests a new approach.

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It proposes a clear, universal way to define and diagnose obesity that focuses on individual health and provides better support through healthcare systems globally.

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