Researchers Redefine Obesity

Obesity just received a definitive diagnosis.

What’s happening: An international panel recommended a new definition of the condition while proposing an overhaul of diagnostic criteria to boost clinical decision-making and public health.

Means for change. Endorsed by American Heart Association and 75+ other medical organizations, the commission defined clinical obesity as:

“A chronic, systemic illness characterised by alterations in the function of tissues, organs, the entire individual, or a combination thereof, due to excess adiposity.”

In consequence, it leads to irreversible organ damage, heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure, while preclinical obesity—excess fat mass without organ dysfunction—elevates risks.

Checks & balances. An outdated assessment, body mass index (BMI) is often criticized for labeling those with high muscle makeup as obese while missing other symptoms.

Declaring it inappropriate as a sole health metric, the group called for waist measurements plus body comp and organ function diagnostics as standard protocol.

To the test. A clinical definition could set a higher bar for GLP-1 patients, prioritizing Rx by greatest need.

As doctors seek diagnostic tools to evaluate efficacy of weight loss meds, body comp tech from Evolt and others, passive vascular and pulmonary checks from Withings, AI heart scans from Cleerly, and those offering expanded metabolic panels will capitalize.

Looking ahead: BMI is incompatible with truly personalized medicine. With new technologies, obesity, health status, and their broader implications will be defined in seconds.