A doctor generally decides that you are obese simply by looking at you. Most doctors form mental images of the various categories of obesity, from moderate to hyperobese. After judging your appearance, the doctor will then confirm his or her impression by more objective means.
The most common method is by comparing your weight to the figures on standard height and weight charts. These charts are based on life insurance company statistics. They list a range of ideal weights for various heights and body frames. At each height, the ideal weight-range for people with a particular type of frame can vary more than 20 pounds; and for a given height, the range from the lowest weight in the small-frame category to the heaviest in the large-frame category can be as high as 40 pounds.
Some experts argue that these height and weight charts are inaccurate for one reason or another. They are widely used, however, and provide a standard baseline for making decisions about weight.
Another common way of measuring obesity is called the skinfold "pinch test." To test you in this way, a doctor measures folds of skin at various parts of your body.
When you see a doctor for treatment of obesity, your examination is likely to include questions about obesity in your family. You will also be asked about your eating and exercise habits, use of cigarettes and alcohol, your occupation, and your experiences with gaining and losing weight in the past. During your physical examination, the doctor will check for signs of other medical conditions that might be responsible for your excess weight. Lower than normal activity of the thyroid or adrenal glands are two possibilities. However, these and other medical conditions are to blame in only about 1 percent of obesity cases.
