Obesity Screening
Reviewed
Also called: BMI screening, body mass index screening
Obesity screening uses body mass index (BMI) calculated from height and weight to estimate body fat and assess risk for weight-related health problems. It is not a diagnostic test and cannot measure exact body fat or diagnose any condition.
Specimen: Not applicable (height and weight measurements)
Why this test may be ordered
- To find out if an adult or child has an unhealthy body weight for their height
- To help a provider understand a person's risk for diseases linked to extra body fat
- To track BMI over time and catch weight gain early
- To monitor risk for health problems related to body fat in those already overweight or with obesity
Preparation and collection
No preparation needed. If additional blood tests are ordered, fasting may be required.
Height and weight are measured during a routine checkup. Waist measurement or skinfold measurements may also be taken.
There is no risk to having a BMI or a measurement of your waist or skinfolds.
Understanding results
Your BMI result is an estimate of body fat. It cannot diagnose any health condition. Discuss your results with your healthcare provider to understand what they mean for you.
- Healthy weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 for adults; 5th–85th percentile for children/teens): Your weight is in a range considered healthy for your height. This suggests a lower likelihood of weight-related health problems. Limitation: BMI cannot distinguish fat from muscle. Some people with a healthy BMI may still have high body fat. Next step: Routine
- Overweight (BMI 25–29.9 for adults; 85th–94th percentile for children/teens): Your weight is higher than what is considered healthy for your height. This suggests a higher likelihood of having too much body fat and increased risk for weight-related health problems. Limitation: BMI cannot tell if extra weight is from fat or muscle. A very muscular person may have a BMI in this range without having too much body fat. Next step: Prompt
- Obesity (BMI 30 or above for adults; 95th percentile or higher for children/teens): Your weight is in a range that indicates too much body fat. This suggests a higher likelihood of developing serious health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Limitation: BMI cannot measure exact body fat or diagnose any condition. Other tests may be needed. Next step: Prompt
- BMI cannot tell if your weight is from extra fat or muscle
- A very muscular person could have a BMI in the overweight range even without too much body fat
- Some people with a healthy BMI may still have high amounts of body fat
- Obesity screening does not show the amount of fat a person has and cannot diagnose any health conditions
What to do next
If your screening shows overweight or obesity, your provider will work with you on a treatment plan that may include lifestyle changes, counseling, weight-loss medicines, or surgery. Discuss all results and follow-up with your healthcare provider.
- What does my BMI result mean for my health?
- Do I need any other tests to check for conditions related to weight?
- What lifestyle changes would you recommend for me?
- Are there weight-loss treatments that might be right for me?