ABSTRACT
At first glance, the assessment of obesity may appear quite straightforward, but closer inspection reveals many problematic issues that must be considered. This chapter explores the issues and attempts to outline a behavioural-assessment approach, which is based upon a critical evaluation of the research literature available to date. It focuses on those methods that are most likely to be available to the practitioner. Skinfold measures represent an indirect index of fatness that is frequently used in the research literature and may be a feasible means of assessment for some therapists. Skinfold thickness, as a measure of obesity, is based on the premiss that around 50 per cent of body fat is stored subcutaneously. Perhaps the best method of estimating the incidence of obese status, despite the considerable limitations involved, is the use of the cut off of 20 per cent above ideal weight for age, height and body build, based on lowest mortality rates.
