Soapbox Health & Medicine

Obesity needs a new definition beyond BMI, health experts argue

BMI labels some people as having a disease, even if their excess body fat isn’t causing harm

Person with arms outstretched while sitting on a yoga mat on the grass.

Obesity could get a new definition and diagnostic criteria thanks to a global commission of health experts.

Yaroslav Astakhov/iStock/Getty Images Plus

By McKenzie Prillaman

Obesity needs a new definition, argues a global group of health experts.

For over 75 years, obesity has been called a disease by the World Health Organization.