AUTHOR=Chin Geoffrey C. , Potter Adam W. , Friedl Karl E. 

TITLE=Body mass index is a barrier to obesity treatment

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2024.1444568

DOI=10.3389/fendo.2024.1444568

ISSN=1664-2392

ABSTRACT=<p>The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) obesity drug guidance is set on the basis of body mass index (BMI), with thresholds of either BMI ≥30 or BMI ≥27 kg/m<sup>2</sup> with weight-related comorbidities. While BMI is associated with obesity-related health outcomes, there are known limitations to use as a direct measure of body fat or metabolic health, and the American Medical Association has highlighted limitations of BMI in assessing individual obesity risks. BMI thresholds impose a barrier to treatment. In a sample from the NHANES dataset (n=6,646 men and women), 36% of individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS) may not be eligible for obesity pharmacotherapy. This analysis provides quantifiable justification for refinement of the BMI treatment criteria with a more holistic assessment of individual obesity-related disease risk.</p>