The Obesity Epidemic is Worse Than You've Been Told

When you hear about rising obesity rates, it is typically measured using body mass index (BMI). BMI is simply a measure of your weight relative to your height. We've discussed the pitfalls of using BMI as a measure of healthy weight, particularly for people who are short and carry a lot of muscle mass.

But a new study from Keck Medicine of USC suggests that even more people may be considered obese than the skyrocketing numbers already indicate. Using a new term called clinical obesity, an individual may be considered obese even at a healthy BMI.

Clinical obesity specifically measures fat around your midsection. Fat tissue in this area can be problematic because it may be stored as visceral fat. Visceral fat is fat in close proximity to your organs such as the liver, different from subcutaneous fat that you can pinch with your fingers. It's estimated that 25% of people with a healthy BMI may be considered obese using this new method of measuring.

The dichotomy between the explosion of the fitness market and the continued rise in obesity rates is an interesting one. People try to pinpoint one specific cause of obesity compared to past times, but it is likely a combination of factors.

Not only do we have easy access to palatable, high-calorie foods, we can have it delivered right to our doorstep. In addition, sedentary office jobs are as prevalent as ever. An underrated factor is declining mental health. People often use food to cope with stress.

Ultimately, obesity is a deeply complex and multifaceted issue that cannot be solved by any single intervention. Tackling obesity will require a collective effort that goes beyond individual willpower, one that considers food environments, workplace culture, and mental health support in equal measure. The data may tell us how widespread the problem is, but the solution will demand that we look far deeper than the numbers.

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This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 7:51 PM.