Weight loss injections could become available to overweight individuals on the NHS for free, not just those classified as obese, according to new research. A study tracking 200,000 middle-aged Britons suggests that fat distribution in some people only deemed 'overweight' puts them at the highest health risk, meaning they could benefit from these treatments.
Study Highlights Risk Beyond BMI
Scientists from Cambridge University and Queen Mary University of London analysed health data from 200,000 middle-aged UK Biobank participants. They found that some individuals classified as overweight by body mass index (BMI) were actually at greater risk of obesity-related complications such as cancer and Type 2 diabetes than some obese individuals. Currently, around two-thirds of UK adults are overweight or obese according to BMI, but experts argue for more detailed risk analysis.
The NHS currently rations appetite-suppressing injections for the most obese and unwell patients. However, cheap generic versions of the Wegovy jab are set to flood the market, potentially making wider distribution more feasible.
New Tool: Obscore
The researchers developed a tool called Obscore, which uses 20 commonly collected health measures to predict 18 obesity-related complications. This tool could complement BMI in deciding who should receive weight loss jabs. Dr Kamil Demircan from Queen Mary University said: 'We observed that a considerable proportion of individuals at highest risk were living with overweight rather than obesity. These people may be overlooked if we only look at BMI.'
Professor Nick Wareham from Cambridge added: 'For the first time, we have efficacious therapies for obesity, but the NHS has finite resources. We need accurate mechanisms for allocating them. This score is a step towards better decision-making.'
The study, published in Nature Medicine, included participants with a BMI of 27 or above. The team noted that some overweight individuals have excess body fat leading to 'dramatic metabolic complications.'
Previous research suggested that BMI wrongly classifies 34% as obese and 53% as overweight when compared to gold-standard body fat scans. If applied to the UK, this could mean around five million Brits have been incorrectly told they are obese.
