Screening Tests for Adults (50 and Up)
Obesity
Two out of 3 adult Americans are overweight, and 1 out of 3 are obese. The rate of obesity has increased steadily throughout the U.S. in all age ranges, including children.
For adults, the following definitions are used for classifying weight. They are based on the calculation of body mass index (BMI), which is defined as:
(Weight in pounds X 705) / (height in inches squared)
BMI < 18.5 Underweight
BMI 18.5-24.9 Normal
BMI 25.0 – 29.0 Overweight
BMI 30-39.9 Obese
BMI > 40 Morbidly obese
Obesity is a health concern because it increases the risk of many diseases such as high blood pressure (hypertension), dyslipidemias (high cholesterol and/or high triglycerides), Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis (degeneration of cartilage and underlying bone in a joint), sleep apnea and respiratory problems, and some cancers.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that health care providers screen all adult patients for obesity, and the American Academy of Family Physicians agrees. Measuring your BMI helps identify if you are at risk for a wide variety of serious health problems that may be avoided or delayed by lifestyle changes such as weight loss and exercise. The American College of Preventive Medicine advises this:
- All adults should have their BMI calculated periodically by their health care provider.
- All adults, no matter what their weight or body mass, should be regularly counseled about the benefits of a healthful diet and physical activity.
Links
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Calculate your body mass index
Sources
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New CDC study finds no increase in obesity among adults; but levels still high. Nov 2007. Available on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/07newsreleases/obesity.htm through http://www.cdc.gov. Accessed 11 Feb 2008.
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents: United States, 2003-2004. Last reviewed 30 Jan 2007. Available on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/overweight/overwght_child_03.htm through http://www.cdc.gov. Accessed 11 Feb 2008.
National Center for Health Statistics. Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults: United States, 2003-2004. Last reviewed 30 Jan 2007. Available on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/overweight/overwght_adult_03.htm through http://www.cdc.gov. Accessed 11 Feb 2008.
American Academy of Family Physicians. Summary of policy recommendations for clinical preventive services. Aug 2007. Available on the Internet through http://www.guideline.gov. Accessed 11 Feb 2008.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health. Calculate your body mass index. Available on the Internet at http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi. Accessed 23 Jul 2004 and 11 Feb 2008.
Nawaz H and Katz KL. Weight management counseling of overweight adults: American College of Preventive Medicine practice policy statement. Jul 2001. Am J Prev Med 21(1):73-78. Available on the Internet at http://www.acpm.org/pol_practice.htm through http://www.acpm.org. Accessed 19 Jul 2004 and 11 Feb 2008.
American Association of Family Physicians. Summary of policy recommendations for periodic health examinations. Aug 2003. Brief summary, on the Internet through http://www.guideline.gov. Accessed 19 Jul 2004.
US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for obesity in adults: recommendation and rationale. 2 Dec 2003. Ann Intern Med 139(11):930-932. Available on the Internet at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsobes.htm through http://www.ahrq.gov. Accessed 19 Jul 2004 and 11 Feb 2008.
Weise E. Medicare redefines obesity as medical. 15 Jul 2004 (updated 16 Jul 2004). USA Today. Available on the Internet at http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-07-15-medicare-obesity_x.htm through http://www.usatoday.com. Accessed 19 Jul 2004 and 11 Feb 2008.
