Rethinking BMI and Obesity Management: The Transformative Role of Artificial Intelligence

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 16; no. 2; p. e54995
• Main Authors: Nashwan, Abdulqadir J, Abdi Hassan, Muad, AlBarakat, Majd M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cureus Inc 26-02-2024; Cureus
• Subjects: Algorithms; Artificial intelligence; Body fat; Body mass index; Community support; Endocrinology/Diabetes/Metabolism; Epidemiology/Public Health; Healthcare Technology; Intervention; Medical personnel; Metabolism; Obesity; Precision medicine; Weight control; body mass index (bmi); weight management; precision medicine; artificial intelligence; obesity
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54995

The body mass index (BMI) is a longstanding, simple, and cost-effective tool for classifying individuals by weight, useful for rapidly screening populations for obesity-related health risks. However, its failure to account for muscle mass, bone density, and fat distribution can lead to misclassifications. This editorial explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in redefining or potentially replacing BMI as a tool for enhancing weight management strategies. Furthermore, it illustrates how AI can offer personalized health assessments, predictive analytics, and tailored interventions, overcoming BMI's shortcomings. By analyzing genetic, lifestyle, and medical data, AI enables a more nuanced approach to weight management, signifying a shift toward precision or personalized medicine. AI-driven virtual assistants enhance weight management by offering continuous support, motivation, and reminders, while AI algorithms analyze medical imaging for precise body composition assessment. AI also aids in early metabolic disorder detection and fosters community support among individuals with similar health goals. However, ethical concerns, data privacy, and algorithm biases require careful attention. Collaboration among healthcare professionals, researchers, and tech developers is vital for maximizing AI's positive impact on public health.