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Screening for Obesity

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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. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPTF) recommends that all children (aged 6 years and older) and adults be screened for obesity using the body mass index (BMI).

In addition to the BMI, your waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, or skinfold thickness measurement can also help determine if you have more body fat than is recommended.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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References

  • Obesity in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated August 16, 2012. Accessed August 28, 2012.

  • Obesity in children and adolescents. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated July 25, 2012. Accessed August 28, 2012.

  • Berkow R, Beers M, Fletcher AJ. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. New York, NY: Pocket Books; 1999.

  • Kasper DL, Harrison TR. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 14th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1998.

  • McTigue KM, Harris R, Hemphill B, et al. Screening and interventions for obesity in adults: summary of the evidence for the US Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Int Med. 2003;139:933-949.

  • Who is at risk for overweight and obesity. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/obe/atrisk.html . Accessed August 28, 2012.

  • 1/29/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for obesity in children and adolescents: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Pediatrics. 2010 Jan 18.