Medical and behavioral evaluation of patients with obesity

Obesity may be the most significant medical problem that health care providers will face over the coming decades. Physicians must aggressively address this chronic disease, providing both preventive and therapeutic care. Since this topic has not been traditionally taught in medical school or residency training, physicians and other health providers will need to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to be effective obesity care providers. Performing a detailed initial assessment, including an obesity focused history, physical examination, and selected laboratory and diagnostic tests is fundamental to the process of care.