ABSTRACT
The medical evaluation of an obese patient centers on understanding the factors that contribute to the patient’s condition and the impact of excessive body fat accumulation on his or her health. These factors can then be taken into consideration when discussing therapeutic options. Effective evaluation includes a physical examination and detailed medical and social histories. Objectives are to identify pertinent etiologies, assess the severity and medical complications of obesity-related conditions, and determine the patient’s readiness to address his or her obesity. This chapter is intended as a guide for clinicians. Our approach to the evaluation of obese patients is summarized in Table 2.1 [1,2].
