Calls to Redefine Obesity.

A global report in The Lancet urges a new obesity definition, focusing on health impacts rather than BMI alone. It distinguishes “clinical obesity,” involving health issues like diabetes, from “pre-clinical obesity,” where risks are present but no illnesses yet.

The report highlights BMI’s limitations and recommends more precise measures, such as waist-to-height ratios and medical history. Experts advocate early intervention for pre-clinical cases, with drugs and surgery reserved for clinical conditions.

While the approach could enhance care, concerns remain about limited healthcare budgets prioritizing advanced cases. Globally, over a billion people live with obesity.