New recommendations to measure obesity go beyond controversial BMI. A doctor explains.

Body mass index, or BMI, has long been criticized as a flawed method for measuring obesity — and now a group of experts is sharing new recommendations.

BMI is a formula that uses a person's height and weight ratio to assess whether they're underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese, although it is not a direct measure of body fat. 

In the report, published Tuesday in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal, more than 50 experts proposed a new way for medical professionals to define and diagnose obesity that puts less emphasis on BMI.