A global group of experts has suggested a new approach to diagnosing and treating obesity that does not rely solely on the much-contested body mass index (BMI).

Doctors worldwide should diagnose obesity differently, relying on broader criteria and taking into account when the condition causes ill-health, according to a new framework drawn up by experts and endorsed by 76 medical organizations internationally.

An international and widely supported group of experts is pushing doctors to avoid the exclusive use of BMI to decide whether someone has obesity, alongside other major changes.

Is obesity a disease or a risk factor for disease? In medical circles – and outside of them – the question is contentious, with supporters on either side. In a newly published report, the Global Commission on Clinical Obesity has strived to settle the debate,

The Lancet Global Commission report recommends a revised method for diagnosing obesity beyond just BMI. This approach includes using measures like waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio. The study introduces 'clinical' and 'pre-clinical' obesity categories for accurate diagnosis and resource allocation,

According to a September 2024 data brief from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 40.3 percent of U.S. adults were considered obese between August 2021 and August 2023.