There’s a better way to classify individuals than reducing them to a single Body Mass Index (BMI) number on a color-coded chart, a group of scientists proposes.
In a report published this month in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Journal, a Commission of experts tackled the complex issue of obesity, incorporating insights from emerging schools of thought that could upend BMI as we know it.
The first step, according to the Commission led by Professor Francesco Rubino of King’s College London, is developing a new definition and diagnostic framework – one that is global, as almost an eighth of the world is affected by obesity.
It begins by dividing obesity into two categories: as a risk factor—where an individual may carry excess weight without experiencing organ dysfunction or daily limitations but faces an increased future health risk (referred to as preclinical obesity)—and as a standalone illness (clinical obesity).
It’s a timely topic, considering the fitness and wellness industry continues to advance the conversation around personalization, pivoting from a one-size-fits-all approach. The Commission—announced in 2022 and comprising 56 leading experts—shares a similar perspective.
“Individuals living with obesity have different health profiles and needs, but are often discussed as a single entity, defined by one single parameter (BMI), or not discussed at all,” the Commission wrote.
In addition to a new definition, the group advises using other body size measurements—such as waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, or waist-to-height ratio—alongside BMI to define obesity status.
While the Commission points out that overhauling procedures may increase the workload of healthcare workers, it points out that failure to invest the time and resources into additional measurements could lead to “greater burden and costs, both to health systems and to individuals living with obesity.”
“Adopting a new and more precise approach to obesity identification and shifting societal perceptions will take time and effort, but at the heart of these proposals is the aim to improve the lives of people living with obesity,” the Commission noted. “We now have the opportunity to transform obesity care, moving away from a system in which individuals are seen under one single label toward a system that recognises the unique health and needs of each person.”
Although the group’s recommendations can help advance patients within the healthcare system, they could also serve as a valuable guide for personal trainers and health coaches to consider implementing measurement tracking for their clients if they aren’t already.
The tech space, as usual, is already moving full steam ahead. Fit:match, a tech company specializing in 3D body scanning and analysis, has recently partnered with Intel Corporation’s RealSense division to launch Reflect.
The freestanding body scanning system provides precise measurements and insights, such as body metrics and circumference measurements, in just seconds. Gym members can use Reflect to scan themselves regularly to track changes, while trainers can use the data to customize fitness programs. Additionally, Reflect users can receive personalized size recommendations from retail brands such as Lululemon, Skims and Vuori.
