Summary
A Lancet report urges a global revamp of obesity diagnosis, citing over-reliance on BMI as misleading and harmful.
Experts argue BMI often fails to reflect true health by overlooking fat distribution and organ function.
They propose redefining obesity into two categories: “clinical obesity” (linked to health impairments) and “pre-clinical obesity” (no current illness but heightened future risk).
The shift aims for more personalized care and early intervention.
Over 75 medical groups endorse the report’s recommendations.
Obesity as a medical diagnosis is a decisional piece made by a provider, yes. Morbid obesity, same. Each has an ICD number.
The BMI, however, is auto calculated within the most popular medical chart system by virtue of a height and weight being entered for the patient. That is all. The weight data also turns red and gets an (!) added to it as well, as an auto process in the system.