Source: Davizro / Getty
There could be changes to way obesity is defined and diagnosed. In a new report in the journal Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, an international committee of scientists is proposing a more nuanced and objective way to assess body composition by adding more metrics such as waist circumference to the criteria.
The commission has 56 experts with expertise in nutrition, endocrinology, internal medicine and public health. The report comes as obesity rates rise around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates more than one billion people are living with obesity. The World Obesity Federation estimates that the economic impact of obesity will rise above $4 trillion by 2035.
For years, physicians have measured obesity by calculating their body mass index (BMI). BMI is a quick and inexpensive estimate based on weight and height. However, BMI doesn’t provide an accurate picture about a person’s health. Relying on BMI alone can result in a misdiagnosis.
“About 40% of the adult population in America has obesity, when it’s defined solely by BMI,” Dr. Robert Kushner, an endocrinologist at Northwestern University who is a part of the commission told NPR.
But, the question that remains is do all of these Americans with obesity have a disease? The commission aims to provide clarity to this question by recommending that excess body fat be confirmed by measuring a person’s waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio or waist-to-height ratio. Another option is measuring body fat from a screening such as a DEXA scan when available.
“What’s new is that we try to define obesity by excess body fat, which is what obesity actually is,” said Kushner. “We’re not throwing out BMI, we are now recommending that individuals have another measurement obtained that more directly gets an estimate of body fat.”
This new measurement focuses on the amount of fat that people carry around their waists.
“Fat in the belly causes systemic inflammation, which then goes on and causes other metabolic problems like elevated blood sugar, elevated blood pressure and increased fats in the blood,” said Kushner.
This could be the catalyst to developing diseases including diabetes as well as heart disease. The commission believes there should be two new categories of obesity based on objective measures of illness. The first category would be “clinical obesity” for people who already have a disease associated with obesity. The second category is called “pre-clinical obesity” for a person that has elevated risks of developing a health condition due to the amount of fat they have in their body.
“Our reframing acknowledges the nuanced reality of obesity and allows for personalized care,” said Dr. Francesco Rubino from King’s College London, who is chair of the commission.
DON’T MISS…
Study: People Who Exercise Store Fat in Healthier Ways
6 Tasty And Nutritious Fall Foods for Optimal Health
Workout While Worshiping: 5 Faith-Based Fitness Channels on YouTube
