Beyond BMI: A New Perspective on Obesity
It’s official: Obesity is more than just a number on the scale!
The latest findings from The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission stress that BMI alone isn’t enough to understand the true impact of obesity on health. Obesity is now recognized as a disease that can seriously affect your organs and daily life.
🔬 What does this mean?
Experts suggest we need to look deeper—beyond weight—by assessing how excess body fat affects:
✔️ Liver, heart and kidney
✔️ Metabolic health
✔️ Mobility and daily activities
📊 Two key stages of obesity:
1️⃣ Preclinical Obesity – Extra body fat is present, but organs still function normally. However, there’s a risk of progressing to more serious health issues.
2️⃣ Clinical Obesity – When excess fat starts to impair the function of organs or daily activities, leading to health complications.
⚠️ Warning signs of clinical obesity:
- ● High blood sugar, triglycerides, and low HDL (“good” cholesterol)
- ● Fatty liver disease (MASLD)
- ● Kidney issues (protein in urine, reduced kidney function)
- ● Difficulty with movement or everyday tasks
It’s time to take a more holistic perspective to obesity—focusing on health, not just weight. If you’re experiencing any of these signs, a comprehensive health evaluation can help you take the right steps towards better well-being.