A study published in PLOS Global Public Health reveals that when additional health factors—such as diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol—are taken into account, the global prevalence of obesity significantly decreases. Among 142,250 adults across 56 countries, obesity rates dropped markedly—by more than 50% in some nations.

Unlike the traditional approach, which defines obesity based solely on Body Mass Index (BMI), the new criteria incorporate comorbidities such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol levels.

This comprehensive method allows for a more accurate identification of individuals for whom obesity poses a serious health threat and requires intervention.

Malawi, in particular, showed one of the most substantial reductions in obesity rates under the new definition: prevalence dropped by 68% among men and 53% among women.

The authors of the study—including researchers from Emory University and Johns Hopkins University—emphasize that the updated criteria could impact clinical diagnoses, healthcare spending, and public awareness of health risks.

However, they caution that using these new standards may lead to underestimating the true prevalence of obesity, especially in countries with limited healthcare resources.