Research
Hormonal
The 'borderline stage' of obesity (BMI 28-31.9 kg/m²) is a critical transitional phase characterized by elevated triglycerides, insulin resistance, and low-grade chronic inflammation, representing a vital window for early intervention to prevent clinical obesity.
If your BMI is between 28 and 31.9, do not assume you are safe. Look for metabolic red flags: high triglycerides, insulin resistance, or low-grade inflammation. This is your window to intervene with lifestyle changes (diet, activity) before clinical obesity and its complications set in.
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
Critically, the concept of a ‘borderline’ stage is introduced—a transitional phase characterized by elevated triglycerides, insulin resistance, and low-grade chronic inflammation—representing a critical point in the progression toward clinical obesity.
Why this rating
Based on a comprehensive review of clinical science and multiple cited studies.
Source
The transition from preclinical to clinical obesity: the importance of a borderline stage
Jesus Emanuel Maldonado-Arvizu et al. · Clinical Science · 2026
DOI 10.1042/cs20256728
narrative_reviewCited 2×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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