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	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

More than 40 million people in the United States have a physical or mental impairment that significantly affects life activities and work performance. The total annual costs of disability are currently estimated at $300 billion. Impairment is evaluated as a measured change in an individual's health status. Disability is an individual's inability to perform a task successfully. Disability is not necessarily related to any health impairment or medical condition, although a medical condition or impairment may cause or contribute to an ongoing disability. The November 7, 2007, issue of JAMA includes an article that identifies an association between obesity and disability. Obesity-associated disability may contribute to an increased burden in both quality of life and health care costs.

EVALUATION OF IMPAIRMENT

Impairment is defined as "a loss, loss of use, or derangement of any body part, organ system, or organ function." Assessment of an abnormal anatomic structure, physiological function, intellectual capability, or emotional . . . [Full Text of this Article]

John L. Zeller, MD, PhD, Writer; Alison E. Burke, MA, Illustrator; Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor

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