ABSTRACT
Hippocrates is quoted as saying “Life is short, art is long, opportunity is eeting, experience is treacherous and judgment is difcult.” This is very descriptive of any doctor trying to treat obesity. Patients want weight loss in a matter of days, and experienced physicians know that weight loss treatment is often futile. Deciding on what is the correct treatment can be very difcult and will often depend on the evaluation. The preceding chapters impressively cover very specic aspects of the evaluation of obesity (waist measurement, obesity classication, etc.). This chapter will try to put together the overall evaluation, focusing on obtaining a meaningful history and physical examination as seen through the eyes of the primary care physician.
