Screening Tests - When To See A Doctor: Obesity

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Screening tests

After the medical history, you will need a physical examination and certain screening tests. Part of the physical exam is to measure your height and weight accurately in order to determine your BMI, which indicates the severity of your weight problem. The doctor may also measure the circumference of your waist and hips (see "What's your body shape?").

Even if you are only mildly overweight, abdominal obesity increases your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Excess fat around the abdomen helps make the body resistant to insulin, the hormone that enables blood sugar to enter the cells where it can be used as fuel. When insulin doesn't act effectively, the pancreas secretes more of it; excess insulin increases blood pressure and triglycerides and lowers the level of HDL ("good") cholesterol.

The doctor will also take your blood pressure to check for hypertension and will draw blood to check for other problems, such as high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose. High levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides are risk factors for heart disease. An abnormally high level of glucose is a sign of type 2 diabetes. Finally, if the doctor suspects a hormonal abnormality, such as hypothyroidism or adrenal gland hyperactivity, he or she will test your levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone and cortisol.

Last updated:	June 20, 2007