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Obesity - Symptom

Alternative Names

Morbid obesity; Fat - obese

Signs and tests:

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history, eating habits, and exercise routine.

The two most common ways to measure health risks from your weight are:

  • Body mass index (BMI)
  • Waist circumference (your waist measurement in inches)

BMI is measured using height and weight. You and your health care provider can use your BMI to estimate how much body fat you have.

Your waist measurement is another way to estimate how much body fat you have. Extra weight around your middle or stomach area increases your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. People with "apple-shaped" bodies (meaning their waist is bigger than their hips) also have an increased risk for these diseases.

Skin fold measurements may be taken to check your body fat percentage.

Blood tests may be done to look for thyroid or hormone problems that could lead to weight gain.

  • Reviewed last on: 7/11/2011
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Garb J, Welch G, Zagarins S, Kuhn J, Romanelli J. Bariatric surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity: a meta-analysis of weight loss outcomes for laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding an dlaparoscopic gastric bypass. Obes Surg. 2009;19:1447-1455.

Sacks FM, Bray GA, Carey VJ, Smith SR, Ryan DH, Anton SD, et al. Comparison of weight-loss diets with different compositions of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. N Engl J Med. 2009;360:859-873.

Dale KS, McAuley KA, Taylor RW, Williams SM, Farmer VL, Hansen P, et al. Determining optimal approaches for weight maintenance: a randomized controlled trial. CMAJ. 2009;180:E39-E46.

United States Department of Agriculture. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. Accessed June 5, 2011.

Richards WO, Schirmer BD. Morbid obesity. In: Townsend CM Jr., Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 17.

Seagle HM, Strain GW, Makris A, Reeves RS; American Dietetic Association. Position of the American Dietetic Association: weight management. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009;109:330-346.

Svetke LP, Stevens VJ, Brantley PJ, et al. Comparison of strategies for sustaining weight loss: the weight loss maintenance randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2008;299:1139-1148.

Kaplan LM, Klein S, Boden G, et al. Report of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute Obesity Task Force. Gastroenterology. 2007;132:2272-2275.

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