New obesity definitions reveal ill health more accurately than body mass index

Source Summary

Traditional obesity classification has relied primarily on BMI, a measure of weight relative to height that provides limited information about whether excess fat is affecting a person's health. BMI levels have historically determined eligibility and priority for metabolic bariatric surgery, operations on the stomach that help people lose weight and treat conditions such as type 2 diabetes. New obesity definitions are being developed to more accurately assess health impacts.