Implications of a New Obesity Definition Among the All of Us Cohort

What are the clinical implications of a definition of obesity that integrates body mass index (BMI) with anthropometric measures?In this analysis of the All of Us cohort that included 301 026 adults, the prevalence of obesity increased by 60% when using the new definition compared with the traditional BMI-based definition. This rise was driven by inclusion of individuals with anthropometric-only obesity (ie, elevated anthropometrics despite BMI below the traditional obesity threshold).These findings suggest major implications for clinical practice and public policy while also introducing high-priority areas for further study, such as optimal prevention and management of anthropometric-only obesity.

Corresponding Authors: Lindsay T. Fourman, MD (lfourman@mgb.org), and Steven K. Grinspoon, MD (sgrinspoon@mgh.harvard.edu), Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, S50, Boston, MA 02114.

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