January 21 2025

A New Global Approach to Diagnosing and Treating Obesity

A global group of experts has proposed an innovative framework for diagnosing and managing obesity, moving beyond the traditional reliance on body mass index (BMI), which has known limitations. The new approach focuses on distinguishing early indicators of obesity (pre-clinical) from more advanced stages (clinical) to enhance understanding and treatment.

This refined method incorporates additional measures of excess body fat along with BMI, as well as objective signs and symptoms linked to individual health concerns. Published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology and endorsed by over 75 medical organizations worldwide, the framework aims to improve obesity diagnosis, reduce stigma, optimize healthcare resources, and promote equitable access to effective treatments.

By addressing shortcomings in traditional methods, this approach seeks to better support the over one billion people living with obesity globally.