Should measurement of body composition influence therapy for obesity?

This paper presents a review on assessment of obesity by measurement of body composition. It is recommended that cross-calibrations between methods are made and that cut-off levels for defining obesity are based on the association between body fat% and morbidity and mortality. The recommendation is made for assessment of obesity to measure body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in combination with clinical judgment and a disease risk assessment. Assessment of body composition for evaluation of obesity is a valuable tool in research, but currently it does not influence the choice of therapy in an obese individual. An individual who is misclassified by BMI may benefit from measurement of body composition, but not until further evidence and development of current body composition methods are available.