BMI as a vital sign
A brief intervention in the primary care setting
Medical assistants calculate and chart BMIs. A BMI wheel simplifies the process.
Primary care providers:
advise all members to be physically active
identify members at risk for obesity (BMI > 25 or with significant weight gain) and those who are obese (BMI > 30) and
motivate at risk and obese members to make lifestyle changes:
- reinforce efforts toward achieving a healthy lifestyle
- explain BMI status and associated health risks
- assess readiness for lifestyle change
- explore ambivalence
- provide personalized educational materials
- refer to weight management and physical activity programs and resources
- help members set realistic goals
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