Instead of using the controversial body mass index, or BMI, to assess weight, an international group of scientists proposes an approach that looks at how excess body fat affects health

A new report says only using BMI to determine if a patient has obesity leads to under-diagnosing people who are ill and over-diagnosing people who don't currently deal with the negative health consequences of obesity.

Doctors worldwide should adopt a more comprehensive approach to diagnosing obesity, incorporating broader criteria and focusing on when the condition leads to ill health, according to a new framework proposed by experts and endorsed by 76 medical organizations internationally.