The Obesity Podcast Ep. 3: Redefining Obesity: The Lancet Commission | J&J MedTech

This episode features Francesco Rubino (King’s College London) and  Dr. Riccardo Cohen (President of IFSO) discussing their leadership of the Lancet Commission on Obesity Diagnosis. They explain why obesity has historically been treated as a risk factor rather than a disease, and how their work has established the first formal diagnostic framework. The Commission, comprising 56 global experts, distinguished between preclinical obesity (excess adiposity without organ impairment) and clinical obesity (with signs, symptoms, or organ dysfunction). They describe the long, sometimes contentious process of reaching consensus, the importance of separating diagnosis from treatment guidelines, and the implications for clinicians, patients, and policymakers. The framework is presented as a turning point in obesity medicine, enabling clear diagnosis, guiding treatment intensity, and shaping future management strategies worldwide.