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Obesity Screening
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Lab Tests

Obesity Screening

Obesity screening uses BMI and other measurements to assess body fat levels and determine the risk for weight-related health conditions.

Overview

Obesity screenings check for obesity and overweight in adults and children starting at age 2. Obesity is defined as having too much body fat, while overweight generally refers to excess weight that may come from fat, muscle, bone, or water. Excess body fat increases the risk of serious health issues, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), arthritis, and certain cancers.

How is BMI calculated?

The primary tool for screening is the BMI (body mass index), a calculation based on height and weight.

  • Adults (20+): A BMI of 18.5–24.9 is considered healthy; 25–29.9 is overweight; 30 and above is obesity.
  • Children and Teens: BMI is compared to growth charts based on age and sex to determine a BMI percentile. A healthy weight is between the 5th and 85th percentile; overweight is 85th–94th; obesity is 95th percentile or higher.

While BMI is a useful screening tool, it does not distinguish between fat and muscle. A very muscular person may have a high BMI without excess fat, while some individuals with a healthy BMI may still have high body fat levels.

What happens during screening?

Screening is typically part of a routine physical exam. Your provider will measure your height and weight to calculate your BMI. Additional assessments may include:

  • Waist measurement: Excess abdominal fat increases health risks even if BMI is in the healthy range (greater than 40 inches for men; greater than 35 inches for women).
  • Skinfold measurements: Using a tool to measure the thickness of skin and fat at specific body sites.

If screening indicates excess body fat, your provider may investigate contributing factors, including medical history, medications (such as steroids or certain antidepressants), eating habits, physical activity, sleep quality, stress levels, and family history.

Results and Management

There are no risks associated with these measurements. If the screening shows you are overweight or have obesity, your provider will work with you to create a treatment plan to reduce health risks. This plan may include:

  • Lifestyle changes (dietary adjustments, increased exercise, and improved sleep).
  • Support from a dietary or nutritional counselor.
  • Behavioral weight-loss programs.
  • Prescription weight-loss medications.
  • Weight-loss surgery or medical devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Obesity screening for children and adolescents should begin at age 2 and be performed at every well-child visit. This is because BMI percentiles change significantly with age and sex, and early detection allows for timely lifestyle interventions. Regular monitoring helps track growth patterns and identify if a child is moving into a higher risk category over time.
BMI does not measure body composition, so it cannot distinguish between muscle and fat. A person can have a normal BMI but still have high visceral fat (fat around internal organs), which is linked to higher risks of heart disease and diabetes. This is why providers often measure waist circumference; if your waist is over 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women, you are at increased risk even if your BMI is normal.
In addition to BMI, providers commonly use waist circumference to assess abdominal fat, which is a stronger predictor of cardiovascular risk than BMI alone. In some cases, skinfold thickness measurements may be used to estimate body fat percentage, and bioelectrical impedance analysis might be employed in specialized settings. These tools help provide a more nuanced view of body composition than height and weight alone.
Not necessarily. A high BMI indicates excess weight, but metabolic health is determined by factors like blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol. Some individuals with obesity have normal metabolic markers, while others with a normal BMI may have metabolic syndrome. Your provider will likely order blood tests to check for type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or liver issues to get a complete picture of your metabolic health.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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