Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Obesity
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Diagnosis & Tests
How is the condition diagnosed?
Diagnosis of obesity begins with a medical history and physical exam. The National Institute of Health, or NIH, recommends that healthcare providers follow these steps:
Waist circumference
The amount of fat around the abdomen is very important in assessing disease risk. An individual's risk for certain disorders increases when waist circumference is larger than normal. These disorders include the following:
A waist measurement of more than 40 inches, or 102 cm, in men and more than 35 inches, or 88 cm, in women is above normal. Combined with overweight or obesity, a high waist circumference can raise the person's disease risks from high to extremely high.
Comorbidities
Some disorders place a person at high absolute risk for death if they are combined with obesity. An obese person with one or more of these factors should be treated aggressively. These factors include:
Other comorbidities increase an obese person's risk of death but are not life-threatening. These factors, which should be treated, include:
A third set of comorbidities also increases an obese person's risk of death if they are combined. Three or more of these factors increase a person's high absolute risk:
Treatment algorithm
The treatment algorithm developed by NIH helps the provider decide if treatment for obesity is appropriate. It takes into account the person's BMI, waist circumference, and comorbidities.
Readiness and motivation
The healthcare provider will also ask questions to see if the person is ready and motivated to lose weight. These questions deal with the following issues: