New Delhi: As per an analysis conducted by the National Diabetes Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC), Fortis C-DOC Hospital for Diabetes and Allied Sciences, and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), obesity has gotten a new definition for Indians. The new classification is a landmark decision in addressing healthcare challenges faced by Asian Indias. This comes after 15 years and is published in the Worldwide Release of New Definition by The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.
What are the updated guidelines for obesity?
The updated obesity guidelines are:
- Focus on abdominal obesity: Abdominal fat, associated with insulin resistance, is now a key factor in diagnosing the condition.
- Including comorbidities: Comorbidities like heart disease and diabetes are also key factors for the diagnosis of obesity.
- Including mechanical problems: Hip and knee osteoarthritis or shortness of breath are also factored in for obesity diagnosis.
Two-step classification of obesity
Obesity will now be defined and classified in two stages. This aims at addressing general and abdominal obesity. The study also introduces a two-stage classification starting from a BMI of more than 23kg/kg/m2.
- Stage 1 obesity: BMI > 23 kg/m² without prominent effects on organ function and daily activities. This usually does not result in pathological health problems. But it can progress to stage 2 obesity which triggers mechanical problems.
- Stage 2 obesity: Stage 2 obesity is an advanced phase wherein waist circumference or waist-to-height ratio is excess and it can result in health problems like type-2 diabetes or knee arthritis because of excessive body weight.
Obesity with consequences can reflect obesity’s negative effects on organ functioning. In this case, tailoring weight-reducing strategies can be helpful.
Why were new guidelines required?
The updated obesity guidelines were attributed to the following factors:
- Outdated BMI norms: Previously, the obesity guidelines were laid by Prof. Anoop Misra as of 2009. However, new studies highlight its shortcomings in detecting obesity or related health problems in Asian Indians.
- New health data: New data shows a strong link between abdominal obesity in Asian Indians that can trigger inflammation and early onset of chronic and acute health problems.
Segregating innocuous obesity from obesity with consequences.
Obesity will now be defined and classified in two stages. This aims at addressing general and abdominal obesity. The study also introduces a two-stage classification starting from a BMI of more than 23kg/kg/m2. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
