Screening for Obesity in Adults

Release Date: December 2003

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This topic page summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for obesity in adults.

Summary of Recommendations / Supporting Documents

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Summary of Recommendations

• The USPSTF recommends that clinicians screen all adult patients for obesity and offer intensive counseling and behavioral interventions to promote sustained weight loss for obese adults.
  Grade: B Recommendation.
• The USPSTF concludes that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against the use of moderate- or low-intensity counseling together with behavioral interventions to promote sustained weight loss in obese adults.
  Grade: I Statement.
• The USPSTF concludes that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against the use of counseling of any intensity and behavioral interventions to promote sustained weight loss in overweight adults.
  Grade: I Statement.

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Supporting Documents

Screening for Obesity in Adults, December 2003
Recommendations and Rationale (PDF File, 160 KB; PDF Help)
Summary of the Evidence (PDF File, 215 KB; PDF Help)
Systematic Evidence Review (PDF File Download)

As part of the USPSTF’s ongoing commitment to clarity about its work and methods, the USPSTF invites public comment on all draft recommendation statements. As a result, the recommendation on screening and management for obesity and overweight in adults does not appear with this accompanying background review. The USPSTF invited public comments on its draft recommendation statement on screening and management for obesity and overweight in adults from October 26 to November 23, 2011. Once finalized, the recommendation statement will reflect any changes made based on the public comments received and will be available on this page.

Screening and Management for Obesity and Overweight in Adults, October 2011
Supporting Article (PDF File, 302 KB; PDF Help)
Evidence Synthesis (PDF File, 7 MB; PDF Help)

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Current as of November 2011

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Internet Citation:

Screening for Obesity in Adults, Topic Page. November 2011. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsobes.htm

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