Global medical professionals believe a major shake-up's needed in how obesity is diagnosed

A new paper suggests better distinguishing the differences between obesity causing chronic disease, and obesity associated with health risk -- but not current illness.

It states current practices rely too heavily on body-mass indexes.

Spokesperson, Professor John Dixon aims to create better individualised care, while preserving resources to help those under-diagnosed.

He says they want to dramatically overhaul ideas around obesity, and international healthcare practices.