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The purpose of screening is early diagnosis and treatment. Screening tests are usually administered to people without current symptoms, but who may be at high risk for certain diseases or conditions.

Screening Tests

There are no laboratory tests or screening guidelines to determine whether you will gain weight and eventually become obese. Rather, you will probably notice any weight gain by looking at yourself in the mirror and noticing how your clothes fit.

However, each time you go to your healthcare provider, you are probably weighed. Your medical records may also contain your height. Your healthcare provider can then use these two numbers to calculate your body mass index (BMI), which provides a screening for obesity. Your waist circumference can also help determine if you have more body fat than is recommended.

References:

American Dietetic Association website. Available at: http://www.eatright.org .

Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine . 14th ed. McGraw-Hill; 1998.

The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy . 17th ed. Merck & Co.; 1999.

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/ .

Last reviewed February 2007 by Edward R. Rosick, DO, MPH, MS

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Screening for Obesity

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