Obesity: Tests to Determine Overweight and Obesity

We've talked in the past about the difference between being overweight and obese. It is a matter of degree based on the BMI (body mass index, a measurement of fat determined by the ratio of height to weight). When you go to your doctor, how will he or she determine whether your weight has indeed reached critical mass? The first thing that will be necessary will be an evaluation of your overall health.

Physical Examination

During this part of your visit, the doctor will evaluate the organs of your body by looking (e.g. in your throat), feeling (e.g. your abdomen for masses), listening (e.g. using a stethoscope to assess your heart and lungs), and tapping (your abdomen and chest to detect abnormal sounds). He'll take your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and he will note your rate of breathing.

History

The physician will ask about your past and present medical conditions as well as those of your family (that is, your parents and siblings). He'll ask about your lifestyle...do you smoke? Drink? Use drugs? What kind of work do you do?

Blood tests

The MD will order laboratory tests in order to determine the functioning of your heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys, and metabolism. He will be able to evaluate the effect that your weight is having on your body.

Assuming that these tests have turned out to be within the normal range, the next step will be to assess your body weight and come up with a plan.

BMI

As we have discussed before, the BMI (Body Mass Index) is measure of body fat taking height and weight into consideration. The BMI has its limitations but it is a good screening device for assessing whether your body fat is in an unhealthy range.

Girth

This is a measurement of the distance around the abdomen, roughly in the center, using the navel (belly button) as a guide. It is used to measure obesity (as well as build-up of gas or fluid in the abdominal cavity).

Skin Fold Thickness Measurement

This is another measurement of body fat percentage. The tester pinches the skin at several locations and then, using an instrument called a caliper, measures the thickness in millimeters. The numbers are then fed into a calculating device to determine body fat.

As you can see, a number of parameters are available to be used to determine a diagnosis of overweight or obesity. None is complete in itself but together, they create quite an accurate picture.

Don't be embarrassed to have these tests done. Remember, the people doing them do them all day long. Almost everyone they work with has a weight problem. You are not alone. Take the first step and find out exactly where you are, weight-wise, what your health risks are, and what you can do to make it better. Someone is counting on you!

Until next time.