Leading medics have raised concerns that people are being "overdiagnosed" with obesity, calling for a "reframing" of the way the condition is diagnosed.
Academics argue that a body mass index (BMI) score is not "nuanced" enough to measure obesity and more assessments are needed before someone is told they are obese.
They suggest that solely using BMI can lead to both overestimates and underestimates of the number of obese people. For example, some individuals may be very active and experience no ill-effects from their weight but are still classified as obese.
Meanwhile, others may be suffering significant harm because of obesity, such as problems with their internal organs. A new Lancet Commission – comprising more than 50 experts from around the world – has called for a "radical overhaul" in the diagnosis of obesity.