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New Delhi: Indian researchers have introduced updated criteria for obesity, shifting the focus from Body Mass Index (BMI) to waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio. According to a study published in Elsevier, individuals may be classified as obese even with a normal BMI if their waist measurements exceed specific thresholds.
Revised Obesity Standards for Indians
The updated obesity standards, developed by a team from the National Diabetes, Obesity, and Cholesterol Foundation (NDOC), Fortis CDOC Hospital for Diabetes and Allied Sciences, and AIIMS Delhi, set abdominal obesity benchmarks at 80 cm for women and 90 cm for men. A waist-to-height ratio above 0.5 is also considered indicative of obesity. These measures are preferred over the traditional waist-to-hip ratio.
The new classification aims to address health risks commonly associated with abdominal obesity in Asian Indians, such as cardiovascular diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and obstructive sleep apnea.
Addressing obesity-related health risks
The revised guidelines, aligned with global standards published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, replace the 2009 criteria, which relied exclusively on BMI. Studies show that BMI alone often fails to capture obesity-related risks in Asian Indians.
Two-stage classification system introduced
The guidelines introduce a two-tier obesity classification system, starting with a BMI above 23 kg/m². Stage one identifies increased body weight without functional limitations. Stage two highlights severe cases with higher abdominal adiposity, larger waist circumference, or waist-to-height ratio, accompanied by at least one health complication, such as type 2 diabetes or obesity-related knee arthritis.
Emphasising early detection and targeted interventions
Dr. Naval Vikram, professor of medicine at AIIMS Delhi and co-author of the study, underscored the importance of the findings. “A distinct definition of obesity for Indians is crucial for the early detection of related diseases and the development of targeted management strategies,” he said.
The updated standards provide a clearer understanding of obesity in the Indian context, offering healthcare providers tools to prioritise interventions and tailor treatment to individual needs.
