Obesity - Diagnosis

Diagnosis of obesity is made by comparing the patient's weight with ideal weight charts. A direct measure of body fat can also be made with an instrument known as calipers. Calipers are a scissor-shaped device used to measure the thickness of a person's flesh at the back of the upper arm. This measurement can be used to tell whether a person has an excess of fatty tissue. Women whose body weight consists of more than 30 percent fatty tissue are regarded as obese. Men with 25 percent fatty tissue in their body weight are considered to be obese.

Doctors may also note the way in which a person's body fat is distributed. Some patterns of distribution are associated with certain complications of obesity. For example, a person who is "apple-shaped" has a higher risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes than someone who is "pear-shaped." An "apple-shaped" person is one whose weight is concentrated around the waist and abdomen. A "pear-shaped" person is one whose extra weight tends to be around the hips and thighs.