Obesity and the Medical Office

Obesity, and especially morbid obesity (1), is a growing problem for the medical office.

Even offices equipped for general practice patients, and largely in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), may not be able to cope with patients in excess of 300 pounds.

Waiting room chairs and exam tables may not be comfortable or safe, and scales may max out well below the weight of the patients. Lifting and positioning patients can create major challenges. Imaging units may have special technical and positioning problems.

Also, this is becoming a country of power scooters, and many offices are not really designed to be friendly or accessible to these scooters.

Many morbidly obese have problems with ambulation, and many will have orthopedic issues affecting mobility.

And then there is staff, training should be designed to deal with everything from lifting and positioning patients to sensitivity in verbal interactions.

This is a challenge for medical practice administrators and staff.


(1) usually defined as Body Mass Index of greater than 40, or weight 100% above the ideal, or weight 100 pounds about the ideal.