Obese individuals can present with a wide range of medical and psychosocial problems, which can promote weight gain, provide important indications for treatment but, in some cases, also pose significant barriers to management. To ensure a complete assessment and consideration of these factors, I propose the use of a simple mnemonic consisting of four Ms or 'M, M, M, & M' that stand for Mental, Mechanical, Metabolic and Monetory, respectively, and may help the busy practitioner navigate through a thorough assessment of clients presenting with excess weight.
© 2010 The Author. obesity reviews © 2010 International Association for the Study of Obesity.