Obesity Redefined: BMI Alone May Miss Many Cases

Using an updated obesity definition that accounts for excess body fat and related organ dysfunction, a new study suggests BMI alone may miss many cases and could reclassify a substantial share of U.S. adults as obese. While this approach highlights the need for broader measures like waist circumference, experts caution against overcounting since non-obesity causes can raise fat-related risk and BMI remains a practical starting point for screening, with implications for earlier treatment.