New tool goes beyond BMI to identify 18 obesity health risks

The body mass index (BMI) is often used in medicine to predict health issues related to weight, though it has its shortcomings. A new tool aims to provide a more accurate assessment of who is at risk for obesity-related complications. This tool considers various factors, including BMI, family history, diet, current illnesses, and socioeconomic data gathered from medical records.

The research seeks to identify suitable candidates for obesity medications, which are frequently prescribed based solely on BMI or in combination with other conditions. GLP-1 drugs, initially developed for type 2 diabetes, have been shown to alleviate cardiovascular, kidney, and liver diseases, as well as sleep apnea and osteoarthritis, while also aiding in significant weight loss. However, determining the ideal candidates for these expensive, lifelong treatments has been challenging.

Claudia Langenberg, co-author of a study on the new model, expressed the goal of developing a comprehensive approach. “We really wanted to have an integrated model that enables us to look at not one, but 18 different obesity-relevant complications,” she said during a media briefing. Langenberg is the director and professor of medicine and population health at the Precision Healthcare University Research Institute of Queen Mary University of London. The study was published Thursday in Nature Medicine.