Despite its increasing prevalence, obesity is one of the most misunderstood conditions in medicine. In fact, the AMA didn’t recognize it as a disease until 2013! In the United States, there are an estimated 30 million adults with diabetes, and 100 million adults with obesity. Obesity increases health risks and is associated with more than 60 comorbidities.
Physicians are key to the diagnosis of obesity, nevertheless studies show that only 55% of patients with obesity who seek treatment are diagnosed with this condition. Two key criteria for diagnosis include BMI ≥ 30 and sex-specific waist circumference (>40 inches in men; >35 inches in women).
When assessing waist circumference, be sure to take the following steps:
- Place the tape measure horizontally around the patient’s waist (i.e., between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone); the umbilicus (i.e., belly button); or at the narrowest point of the midsection.
- Maintain a snug fit around the patient’s waist without pressing the skin and have the patient take a deep breath and exhale.
- Measure the waist circumference on exhalation.
Which of your patients do you evaluate for obesity? What measures do you use to diagnose obesity, and who takes these measures?
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Daniel Katselnik2yrall of em -
Lynn Hartman, UP HEALTH SYSTEM - MARQUETTE (FKA MARQUETTE GENERAL HOSPITAL)2yrBMI is calculated by the EMR but hardly ever do I calculate waist circumference. I have done this a few times but usually only with corporate wellness programs. I rely Show More
