Obesity Screening

Obesity screenings check for obesity and overweight in adults and children, starting as early as age 2. In general, having obesity and being overweight both mean that your weight is higher than what is considered healthy for your height: Obesity means that you have too much body fat.; Overweight usually means that you have too much body fat. But the extra weight may come from muscle, bone, and/or holding too much water in your body.; Extra fat from obesity and overweight increases your risk of developing serious, long-lasting health problems, such as: Heart and blood vessel diseases, including heart attack and stroke; High blood cholesterol; Type 2 diabetes; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); Arthritis; Certain types of cancer; The more fat you have, the higher your risk of developing these problems.

Children who have obesity may develop many of the same health problems as adults with obesity. They are also more likely to have obesity in adulthood and develop serious health problems later in life. Obesity screening helps find out if too much body fat could be a health concern for you.

Measuring body fat is difficult and expensive. So, obesity screening estimates how much body fat you have. The estimate is made with a calculation called a BMI (body mass index).

Why this test is done

Most adults and children ages 2 and older should be screened with a BMI at least once a year.

Yearly obesity screening tracks your BMI over time. If it gets higher, it usually means you're gaining extra fat. Even if your higher BMI stays in the healthy range, weight gain from fat can still increase your risk for weight-related diseases.

Obesity screening can help catch weight gain early so you can take steps to control your weight before it harms your health.

If you already have obesity or are overweight, screening helps your provider monitor your risk for health problems related to body fat. Information about your risk level helps you and your provider consider the pros and cons of different weight-loss treatments.

How to prepare

You don't need to prepare for an obesity screening. If you're also having certain blood tests to learn more about your health, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for a period of time. Your provider will let you know how to prepare.

Sample type

Blood