Overfat and Underfat: A New Trend?

A new study published in Frontiers in Public Health introduced the terms "overfat" and "underfat" in order to address a trend of individuals who have high body fat but do not meet clinical definitions of overweight or obese. According to their findings, the number of individuals who would be classified as overfat in the United States is about 66%, and worldwide is about 40%.

The researchers found that the conflation of fat with weight has left many individuals who exhibit metabolic health impairments but are not clinically classified as overweight or obese underdiagnosed and at risk for illnesses related to high body fat but low lean body mass.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RELATED CONTENT
CDC: Over 30% of Americans Are Obese
Study: Even Modest Overweight Is Linked to Mortality Risk
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

According to the researchers, measurements of the adipose tissue as a marker of health would create better predictors for health risks related to body fat, include individuals who do not meet clinical definitions of overweight or obesity but have high body fat, and address health concerns that may be related to the loss of fatty tissue in underweight individuals.

Researchers suggest that the introduction of overfat and underfat would be more effective as common terms because it describes the main health issue, surpluses or lack of fatty tissue, would be more clear and transparent for healthcare providers and patients, and may address issues related to the ineffectiveness of weight or BMI to determine the risks of excess fat in individuals who do not meet clinical criteria.

Overall, the researchers postulate that the terms underfat and overfat would possibly lead to better health goals and decisions for patients and in the public in general.

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Maffetone PB, Rivera-Dominguez I, and Laursen PB. Overfat and underfat: new terms and definitions long overdue [published online January 3, 2017]. Frontiers in Public Health. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2016.00279.