70% of Americans Considered "Obese"? The Surge in Obese Adults in America! The Impact of New Standards and International Perspectives

A research team from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard applied a new definition of obesity that combines BMI with waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and body fat percentage (using methods like DXA). This new definition suggests that the obesity rate among U.S. adults could rise from the traditional estimate of about 43% to approximately 69%. Among the elderly, about 80% may fall under this new definition, with a relatively larger increase observed in men and Asian populations. The goal is to visualize "visceral fat and organ function load" rather than just "weight," ensuring that individuals who need treatment are not overlooked. On social media, there is a balance between concerns over the "expansion of medicalization" and support for the "progress in addressing the limitations of BMI."