In an update to its 2003 recommendation statement on screening for obesity in adults, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening all adult patients for obesity.

Screening includes measurement of height and weight to ascertain BMI, although measuring waist circumference also is an accepted method, according to the recommendation.

Patients with a BMI of 30 or higher should be offered or referred to intensive, multicomponent behavioral interventions such as group or individual weight-loss counseling sessions. In an evidence review, the Task Force found weight-loss outcomes improved when interventions involved at least 12 to 26 sessions in the first year.

Because of safety concerns and insufficient evidence to determine maintenance of improvement after discontinuing drug treatment, the Task Force did not include use of pharmacological agents in the recommendation. •