08/04/2025 / By S.D. Wells
A new obesity classification method developed by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) has significantly increased the number of Americans considered obese, raising the national obesity rate to a staggering 54.2 percent. Researchers from Israel analyzed data from over 44,000 U.S. adults, revealing that nearly one in five individuals previously considered overweight under traditional BMI standards would now be reclassified as obese.
Traditionally, obesity has been defined using Body Mass Index (BMI), with a BMI over 30 kg/m² considered obese and 25–29.9 kg/m² categorized as overweight. However, EASO’s revised framework takes a more nuanced approach by also classifying individuals with a BMI in the overweight range as obese if they have at least one obesity-related health condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or arthritis. This adjustment aims to reflect the actual health burden of excess weight more accurately.
The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, analyzed data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 1999 and 2018. The average participant was 43.4 years old, and about half were women. Using BMI alone, 35.4 percent were classified as obese, and 33.3 percent were overweight. However, when applying the EASO guidelines, the obesity rate jumped to 54.2 percent, making it a new national high.
Among those reclassified as obese, many were older (average age 51.3 years vs. 36.5 in the overweight category), more likely to be male, and had at least one underlying condition. Notably, 79 percent had high blood pressure, 33.2 percent had arthritis, and 15.6 percent had diabetes. This reveals that many Americans who consider themselves only slightly overweight may already be facing significant health risks tied to obesity.
Researchers argue that this new measurement system offers a more accurate depiction of the population’s health status and could aid in earlier intervention and improved treatment access. For example, being newly defined as obese under the EASO framework could make individuals eligible for weight-loss medications like Ozempic or prioritize them for interventions that prevent cardiovascular disease and other complications.
The updated guidelines are already being adopted in parts of Europe, including Ireland and the Netherlands, though major global organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) have not yet implemented them. Still, proponents argue that this approach provides a more holistic understanding of weight-related health and helps identify at-risk individuals sooner.
Additionally, mortality data from the study revealed that individuals newly reclassified as obese had a 50 percent higher risk of death than those with a healthy weight, even if their risk remained similar to those still labeled overweight under the old system.
Ultimately, the EASO framework signals a shift toward a more comprehensive evaluation of obesity—one that doesn’t rely solely on weight but incorporates the presence of weight-related diseases. While it may come as a shock to millions now considered obese, experts say the reclassification could offer better access to treatment and help curb the growing public health crisis associated with obesity in America.
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