Obesity in Adults (Screening and Counseling)
Clinical Preventive Service Recommendations
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force RecommendationThe U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (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.1
Evidence Rating: B (Recommended/At Least Fair Evidence)
The Value of Prevention
Economic Burden of Condition/DiseaseObesity contributes significantly to medical costs in the United States. In 1998, 9.1% of total annual medical expenditures could be attributed to obesity.4 Between 1987 and 2001, 27% of the growth in inflation-adjusted per-capita healthcare spending was associated with obesity.9 The annual cost of obesity is estimated to range from $69 billion to $117 billion (including $61 billion for direct medical expenses and $56 billion for indirect expenses such as lost productivity [in year 2000 dollars]).10 The expected lifetime costs of cardiovascular disease (including coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke) increase by 20% with mild obesity (class I: BMI of 30 to 34.9), 50% with moderate obesity (class II: BMI of 35 to 39.9), and nearly 200% with severe obesity (class III: BMI of 40 or higher).11 One large health plan found that its yearly total medical claims were 18% higher for overweight individuals and 32% higher for obese than for healthy-weight individuals.12 A 2001 study found obese adults had, on average, about 37% higher healthcare expenses per person than normal-weight adults. This excess expense increased private healthcare spending by nearly 12% (more than $36 billion).9
Workplace Burden of Condition/DiseaseIn 2008, the cost to employers of obesity among full-time employees was $73.1 billion a year, which includes $12.1 billion per year in lost productivity, nearly twice as much as obese employees' medical costs.11 Obesity and related illnesses are also a major cause of disability. Each year, an estimated 39 million workdays are lost to obesity-related illnesses.9
Economic Benefit of Preventive InterventionNutrition education, diet, and exercise counseling are effective interventions for obesity prevention and have the potential to significantly reduce the direct and indirect costs of obesity-related illnesses. Researchers have estimated that even a modest reduction of 10% in body weight in an obese individual might reduce the expected lifetime healthcare costs of major obesity-related diseases for the individual by $2,200 to $5,300, depending on age, sex, and initial BMI.13
Estimated Cost of Preventive InterventionThe cost of BMI screening is negligible when height and weight measurements are already recorded as part of a routine physical exam. In 2004, the private-sector cost of obesity counseling averaged $39 per session; approximately 95% of all paid claims fell within the range of $0 to $129 per session.14
Estimated Cost of TreatmentIn the United States, the costs associated with treating obesity vary by location, provider type, and treatment modality. For example, in 2006 the average wholesale price of a 1-month supply of pharmacological therapy for obesity was $207.04 for orlistat (Xenical®) (120 mg three times daily) and $423.60 for a 3-month supply of sibutramine (Meridia®) (15 mg daily).15 In contrast, the average price of a surgical procedure for obesity in 2004 ranged from $20,000 to $35,000.16
Cost-Effectiveness and/or Cost-Benefit Analysis of Preventive InterventionThe cost-effectiveness of screening for and treating obesity is unclear. In an analysis of more than 5900 studies, the economic studies illustrated that bariatric surgery is cost-effective compared to no treatment or conservative treatment.17 However, few studies have tested the cost-effectiveness of screening for and treating obesity in the United States, although several cost-effectiveness studies have been conducted in England, Australia, and Northern Europe.
The studies conducted abroad applied their-effectiveness analyses to morbidly obese patients (i.e., persons with BMIs ≥ 40, which is approximately 100 pounds over normal weight for a typical person). The studies found that a range of interventions (such as pharmacotherapy, surgery, and intensive diet and behavioral therapy) can be inexpensive or even cost-saving, depending on the population's risk and the interventions used.17 These results cannot be generalized to patients who are not morbidly obese. Further, the results may not be generalizable to the U.S. population because of differences between the populations studied and the U.S. population and differences in healthcare system funding and delivery mechanisms in the countries studied.
Condition / Disease Specific Information
Epidemiology of Condition/DiseaseThe Body Mass Index (BMI) is widely used as an index of body composition and weight. BMI's in the range of 18.5 to 24.9 are generally considered to be optimal for adults. "Underweight" is generally defined as a BMI less than 18.5, "overweight" as BMI between 25 to 29.9, and "obesity" as a BMI greater than 30. Age- and gender-specific standards also exist for children and adolescents that take into account the changes in body composition that occur as children grow (See "Other Important Information," below).
Obesity is epidemic in the United States. Between 1976 to 1980 and 1999 to 2002, the proportion of adults classified as obese doubled.5 Obese adults are at a higher risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis, or a combination of these conditions.6 Research has also documented that obesity is associated with decreased quality of life.7
During this period, the proportion of children (aged 6 to 11 years) classified as overweight doubled and the proportion of overweight adolescents (aged 12 to 19 years) tripled.5 The complications of being overweight are particularly severe for children due to the years of life they are at risking of losing as a result of early-onset chronic diseases, such as diabetes14 and cardiovascular disease.8
For adults, losing excess weight has positive effects on overall health status. A 5% to 7% reduction in body weight decreases the risk of type 2 diabetes, reduces blood pressures, and improves lipid profiles.7 Among patients with existing glucose intolerance, weight loss through lifestyle change is associated with as much as a 58% reduction in incidence of diabetes.8 The USPSTF found limited data on the positive effect that weight loss may have on overall mortality, mental health, and daily functioning.1
Condition/Disease Risk FactorsObesity is more common among adult women, Native Americans, African-Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Hispanics than other populations.7
Preventive Intervention Information
Preventive Intervention: Purpose of Screening and CounselingBecause obesity is a modifiable major risk factor for several serious conditions, screening for obesity and treating it successfully can be expected to produce significant health benefits. Screening for obesity allows clinicians to identify patients at risk and begin treatment before serious weight-related complications occur. Unfortunately, weight is frequently overlooked in primary care practice; only 42% of obese patients report receiving advice to lose weight during a routine check-up in the previous year.19
Benefits and Risks of InterventionAlthough the USPSTF did not find direct evidence that behavioral interventions lower mortality or morbidity from obesity, the USPSTF concluded that changes in intermediate outcomes, such as improved glucose metabolism, lipid levels, and blood pressure, from modest weight loss provide indirect evidence of health benefits.1
The USPSTF was unable to find studies that suggested harms associated with screening or counseling obese patients.19 However, the USPSTF notes that because obesity carries a stigma, there is a potential risk in labeling patients as obese. The USPSTF found evidence that dieting among overweight and obese adults does not lead to problems in psychological functioning or eating disorders. However, the USPSTF notes that the evidence is limited and conflicting on the harms of weight cycling (losing and then regaining a large amount of weight). In addition, the USPSTF notes that some forms of treatment, specifically pharmacological therapy and surgical intervention, carry potential harm.19
The USPSTF concluded that the benefits of screening and behavioral interventions outweigh potential harms.
Initiation, Cessation, and IntervalScreening
The USPSTF did not find evidence to determine the optimal times for the initiation, cessation, or interval of obesity screening. Several health organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP),20 the American Heart Association (AHA),21 and the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM),22 agree on the importance of screening for obesity and recommend periodically measuring the height and weight of all patients. Some authorities have recommended that height and weight be recorded and BMIs calculated at every healthcare visit.
High-intensity counseling is defined by the USPSTF as 2 or more person-to-person sessions per month for at least the first 3 months of treatment for a total of 6 counseling sessions per calendar year.
Intervention ProcessThe USPSTF notes that the most effective interventions for obesity combine nutrition education, diet and exercise counseling, and behavioral strategies to help obese patients acquire the skills they need to successfully change their eating habits and to become more physically active.1
ScreeningThe preferred method of screening an adult patient for obesity is to measure their body-mass index (BMI). This is a reliable and valid measurement of adult weight status. BMI is defined as weight in pounds divided by height in inches squared and multiplied by 703, or as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. BMI charts provide completed calculations and can be used to determine BMI by simply entering weight and height. The following definitions from the Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults7 should be used to classify weight status:
Screening for obesity may also include measurement of waist circumference because central adiposity (excess fat around the middle) can also increase an individual's risk of developing cardiovascular disease. A waist circumference greater than 102 centimeters for men and 88 centimeters for women is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, waist measurements are not reliable indicators of cardiovascular disease risk in obese patients with a BMI of 35 or above.19
Counseling and Treatment InformationThe most effective behavioral interventions for obesity combine nutrition education, diet and exercise counseling, and behavioral strategies to help obese patients acquire the skills they need to change their eating habits and become more physically active.15 Clinicians should offer a treatment plan of intensive counseling and behavioral interventions to obese patients. Intensive counseling is defined as 2 or more person-to-person individual or group sessions per month for at least 3 months.19 If clinicians are unable to offer obese patients intensive counseling and behavioral interventions, they should refer patients to a program or provider that can offer these services. However, this should not undermine the existing patient-physician relationship because research has shown that clinicians' advice plays a role in many health outcomes.23 No evidence exists to show that one counseling method is better than another for obese patients. Clinicians must therefore use their own judgment to select an appropriate counseling method for a given patient. The "5-A" frameworkthat is used for smoking cessation counseling might be useful for the initial evaluation and counseling of an obese patient and might be helpful in broaching the subject of weight loss with patients:24
Strength of EvidenceThe level of evidence supporting the recommendations contained in this chapter is described below.
Summary Plan Description Language: Obesity (Screening)
Covered ScreeningScreening for obesity is a covered benefit and may include measurements and calculations relating to body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference.
Initiation, Cessation, and IntervalScreening is covered for all beneficiaries aged 2 and above once per calendar year. More frequent screening is covered, if medically indicated.
Summary Plan Description Language: Obesity (Counseling)
Covered CounselingIntensive counseling (2 or more person-to-person individual or group sessions per month, for at least 3 months) is a covered benefit for beneficiaries aged 18 and older who meet criteria for obesity (BMI > 30).
Initiation, Cessation, and IntervalSix (6) counseling sessions are covered per calendar year. Additional sessions are covered, if medically indicated.
Summary Plan Description Language: Obesity (Treatment)
Covered Treatment MedicationsAll FDA-approved medications for the treatment of obesity or weight loss are are covered. Coverage is reserved for beneficiaries with a BMI higher than 30 and beneficiaries with a BMI of 27 to 29 who also have at least one additional major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Coverage for medication is contingent on physician monitoring and participation in an individual or group counseling program.
ProceduresSurgical treatment procedures are covered. Coverage is reserved for beneficiaries aged 18 and older with class III obesity (BMI exceeding 40) and beneficiaries with class II obesity (BMI of 35 or higher) who also have at least one obesity-related illness. All obesity-related surgical procedures are subject to pre-authorization requirements.
Initiation, Cessation, and IntervalThe duration of treatment is determined by the type of medication used and its dosage. Coverage is provided for medications and surgery, as prescribed by a clinician.
Other Information and Resources
Business Group Resource(s)
Author(s)Tohill BC, Campbell KP, Chattopadhyay S. Obesity evidence-statement: screening, counseling, and treatment. In: Campbell KP, Lanza A, Dixon R, Chattopadhyay S, Molinari N, Finch RA, editors. A Purchaser's Guide to Clinical Preventive Services: Moving Science into Coverage. Washington, DC: National Business Group on Health; 2006. Updated 2011.