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LSU Scientists Rethinking How to Define Obesity

A man uses measuring tape on his waist in California on Jan. 9, 2025.
(AP Photo/JoNel Aleccia)
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A man uses measuring tape on his waist in California on Jan. 9, 2025.

A Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30 is considered obese. But LSU researchers examining if an updated definition should look at excess body fat.

Some LSU researchers are working to redefine obesity. The researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center are working with The Lancet Commission on Clinical Obesity. Dr. Philip Schauer, the director of the Metamor Institute, says a person’s body mass index (BMI) is the main tool used to determine if a person is overweight or obese. A BMI over 25 is considered overweight, and a BMI over 30 is obese. But, as Sean Richardson with the Louisiana Radio Network (LRN) reports, Dr. Schauer says the updated definition should look at excess body fat. “What obesity is, is excess body fat and in particular certain types of body fat are worse than others. Belly fat versus fat just below the skin.”

Fifty-six global experts comprise the Commission, which is working to redefine obesity as a chronic disease, which requires serious health management. Properly understanding this disease is critical “because it’s possible to undertreat and overtreat obesity.”
The Commission defines clinical obesity as excess fat causing reduced organ function or impaired daily activities, while pre-clinical obesity involves excess fat without current organ dysfunction but increased risk for future diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues.

On the left an abdominal CT of a normal weight person. On the right the abdominal CT of an obese person.
James Heilman, MD - Own work
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On the left an abdominal CT of a normal weight person. On the right the abdominal CT of an obese person.

Dr. Schauer says this model differentiates care strategies, promoting evidence-based treatments for those affected. “Nothing should hold us back to really hone in on this disease, obesity, and those with clinical obesity provide them with the tools to improve their lives and for many of them extend their lives.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), new data shows that in 23 states more than one in three adults is obese. Before 2013 no state had an adult obesity rate at or above 35%. Arkansas is ranked as the third highest, with an obesity rate of 40.5% while Louisiana ranks as the 4th most obese state at 39.9% of the population.

According to the National Library of Medicine, obesity officially reached epidemic proportions in 2021, after steadily increasing since the 1970s. However, in the last decade in the United States, the rate of obesity has leveled off at just over 40%. Yet, severe obesity rose to almost 10%.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, and a graduate of the University of Washington, Jeff began his on-air broadcasting career 33 years ago in the Black Hills of South Dakota as a general assignment reporter.
Reporter - Louisiana Radio Network (LRN)