Overview

The assessment to determine whether someone has overweight or obesity may include several criteria, such as body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, and waist circumference. Additionally, the assessment should consider factors such as the presence of comorbid conditions (including obesity-related complications), use of medications that can affect weight, and functional capacity. A thorough weight history, including assessment of medication usage, can also provide useful information that can be applied to developing treatment plans. 

Assess

This section of the GSA KAER Toolkit focuses on how to assess overweight and obesity using measures such as body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, and waist circumference, while also considering factors like comorbid conditions, medications that may affect weight, functional capacity, and weight history to inform treatment planning.

Practice Pearl | Loss of Muscle Mass As We Age

Kathryn N. Porter Starr, PhD, RDN, Associate Professor of Medicine – Geriatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Research Health Scientist, Durham VA Health System.


As we age, we begin to lose muscle mass... We also lose a loss of lean mass and functional capacity. When we compound that with obesity, we start to see this layer of inflammation, and this is where we start to see that connection with all of those chronic health conditions.


Assess | Approaches to Implement

Overview | Assess BMI | Body Composition Assessments | Assess Function | Screen for Sarcopenic Obesity | Assess for Obesity-Related Complications | Take a Thorough Weight History | Assess Medications | Assess References