Commentary
International Journal of Obesity (2003) 27, 287–288. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802255
Ethnic-specific cutpoints for obesity vs country-specific guidelines for action
EDITOR'S NOTE
The commentary below from Professor June Stevens was invited by the Editors because the topic is of significant importance for the obesity scientific community. Dr. Steven's presented the arguments in this commentary at a symposium of the 2002 International Congress on Obesity in San Paulo, Brazil. There has been a movement among the obesity community and in the public health establishment, including the World Health Organization, to consider developing ethnic-specific cutpoints for obesity. Dr. Steven's comments raise questions if this would be a wise decision, and the Editors hope that publication of her commentary will stimulate further debate on the topic.
Richard L. Atkinson
Editor, IJO
J Stevens1
1Departments of Nutrition and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Correspondence: Professor J Stevens, Departments of Nutrition and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, CB 7461, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7461, USA. E-mail: June_Stevens@unc.edu
