In 2025, the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission defined clinical obesity as excess body fat that is causing organ dysfunction, symptoms and physical limitations [1]. Unlike body mass index (BMI) based obesity, clinical obesity is a disease state and, therefore, may better inform medical treatment. Based on preliminary evidence, the prevalence may exceed 30% in both the All of Us Research Programme [2] and UK Biobank [3]. In addition, people with clinical obesity experience approximately twofold excess mortality, particularly from cardiovascular disease, compared with those without the condition [4].
