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A 42-year-old woman presents for an initial obesity evaluation. She reports her weight was normal until age 25, when she gained 30 lbs during her first pregnancy. She has gained an additional 15 lbs with each subsequent pregnancy and has been unable to lose weight despite dieting. Which component of the weight history is MOST important to document?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: DABOM Exam

200

Total Questions

ABOM Candidate Guide (2026)

5 hrs

Exam Time

4 blocks × 60 min + 35 min breaks

P/F

Passing Score

Modified Angoff method

$1,500

Exam Fee (Early)

ABOM 2026 fee schedule

11,500+

Diplomates

ABOM December 2025

60%

Treatment Domain

ABOM content outline (heaviest domain)

The ABOM certification examination uses 200 single-best-answer questions (180 scored + 20 pretest) in 4 blocks of 50 with 60 minutes per block and 35 minutes of break time. Content weighting: Evaluating/Diagnosing (37%), Treating Obesity (60%), Professionalism (3%). The exam is administered once per year in October at Pearson VUE centers. Fee is $1,500 (early) or $1,750 (final). Certification is valid for 10 years. Over 11,500 physicians hold the DABOM credential.

Sample DABOM Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your DABOM exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A 42-year-old woman presents for an initial obesity evaluation. She reports her weight was normal until age 25, when she gained 30 lbs during her first pregnancy. She has gained an additional 15 lbs with each subsequent pregnancy and has been unable to lose weight despite dieting. Which component of the weight history is MOST important to document?
A.Her highest adult weight and when it occurred
B.Her birth weight
C.Her weight at age 18 only
D.The number of calories she currently consumes
Explanation: A comprehensive weight history should include the patient's highest adult weight and when it occurred, as well as the trajectory of weight gain, life events associated with weight changes, and previous weight loss attempts. This information helps identify triggers and patterns that inform treatment planning.
2During a nutrition history, a patient reports following a ketogenic diet for the past 6 months with initial weight loss of 20 lbs followed by a plateau and subsequent regain of 8 lbs. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate next step?
A.Recommend increasing dietary fat intake to deepen ketosis
B.Explore adherence challenges and assess for nutritional deficiencies
C.Advise the patient to discontinue the diet immediately and switch to a low-fat diet
D.Order a metabolic panel to check for ketoacidosis
Explanation: When a patient experiences a weight plateau and regain on any dietary approach, the clinician should explore adherence challenges, dietary quality, and assess for potential nutritional deficiencies. Understanding barriers to sustained adherence is essential for modifying the treatment plan effectively.
3A 35-year-old man with a BMI of 38 kg/m² reports eating most of his daily calories between 9 PM and midnight. He describes feeling out of control during these episodes but does not purge afterward. He often eats when not physically hungry. Which eating behavior pattern does this MOST likely represent?
A.Night eating syndrome
B.Binge eating disorder
C.Bulimia nervosa
D.Emotional eating without a formal eating disorder
Explanation: Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food in a discrete period, accompanied by a sense of loss of control, without compensatory behaviors such as purging. BED is the most common eating disorder in patients with obesity and must be identified as it affects treatment planning.
4Which of the following physical activity assessment tools is MOST appropriate for quantifying activity levels during an initial obesity evaluation?
A.A single question asking if the patient exercises regularly
B.A validated questionnaire such as the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)
C.Measurement of resting metabolic rate
D.A maximal exercise stress test
Explanation: Validated physical activity questionnaires such as the IPAQ systematically assess the type, frequency, duration, and intensity of physical activity. They provide a standardized, reproducible method for quantifying activity levels that can be tracked over time to guide treatment recommendations.
5A 48-year-old woman with a BMI of 42 kg/m² reports sleeping 5 hours per night and frequently waking feeling unrefreshed. Her bed partner reports loud snoring and witnessed apneic episodes. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate diagnostic study?
A.Overnight pulse oximetry alone
B.Polysomnography or home sleep apnea test
C.Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaire only
D.Thyroid function tests
Explanation: This patient's presentation is classic for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which requires objective testing with polysomnography (PSG) or a home sleep apnea test (HSAT) for diagnosis. OSA is highly prevalent in patients with obesity, particularly those with BMI ≥40 kg/m², and is associated with significant cardiometabolic risk.
6A 55-year-old man with obesity is taking the following medications: metformin 1000 mg BID, lisinopril 20 mg daily, atorvastatin 40 mg daily, and quetiapine 200 mg at bedtime for bipolar disorder. Which medication is MOST likely contributing to his weight gain?
A.Metformin
B.Lisinopril
C.Atorvastatin
D.Quetiapine
Explanation: Quetiapine (an atypical antipsychotic) is well-established as a medication that causes significant weight gain through mechanisms including increased appetite, histamine H1 receptor antagonism, and metabolic dysregulation. Among atypical antipsychotics, olanzapine and clozapine cause the most weight gain, but quetiapine also carries substantial risk.
7A 38-year-old woman with a BMI of 36 kg/m² reports progressive weight gain over 2 years, easy bruising, proximal muscle weakness, and facial rounding. Physical examination reveals central adiposity with thin extremities and purple abdominal striae >1 cm wide. Which is the MOST appropriate initial screening test?
A.Serum TSH level
B.24-hour urinary free cortisol or overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test
C.Fasting insulin and glucose levels
D.Serum testosterone level
Explanation: This patient's clinical features — central obesity with thin extremities, wide purple striae, proximal myopathy, easy bruising, and moon facies — are classic for Cushing syndrome. The recommended initial screening tests include 24-hour urinary free cortisol, late-night salivary cortisol, or the overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test.
8A 5-year-old boy presents with hyperphagia, hypogonadism, short stature, mild intellectual disability, and a BMI at the 99th percentile. He had severe hypotonia and feeding difficulties as a neonate. Which genetic condition is MOST likely?
A.MC4R deficiency
B.Prader-Willi syndrome
C.Bardet-Biedl syndrome
D.Congenital leptin deficiency
Explanation: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is caused by loss of function of genes on chromosome 15q11-q13 (paternal deletion or maternal uniparental disomy). It is characterized by neonatal hypotonia and feeding difficulty, followed by hyperphagia and obesity beginning in early childhood, along with hypogonadism, short stature, and cognitive impairment.
9According to the current classification system, a patient with a BMI of 43 kg/m² would be classified as having which class of obesity?
A.Class I obesity
B.Class II obesity
C.Class III obesity
D.Morbid obesity (no longer a recommended term)
Explanation: BMI-based obesity classification: Class I = 30.0-34.9 kg/m², Class II = 35.0-39.9 kg/m², and Class III ≥ 40 kg/m². A BMI of 43 falls into Class III obesity. The term 'morbid obesity' is discouraged due to its stigmatizing nature; 'Class III' or 'severe' obesity is preferred.
10A 50-year-old woman with a BMI of 34 kg/m² has a waist circumference of 96 cm. According to established guidelines, her waist circumference indicates an increased risk for metabolic complications. What is the threshold waist circumference for increased cardiometabolic risk in women?
A.>80 cm
B.>88 cm
C.>94 cm
D.>102 cm
Explanation: For women, a waist circumference >88 cm (>35 inches) indicates substantially increased risk for cardiometabolic complications according to the ATP III/NHLBI guidelines. For men, the threshold is >102 cm (>40 inches). Waist circumference is a useful marker of central adiposity and visceral fat accumulation.

About the DABOM Exam

The DABOM credential from ABOM certifies physician expertise in obesity medicine. The exam covers patient evaluation and diagnosis of obesity (37%), comprehensive obesity treatment including pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery, behavior modification, and nutrition counseling (60%), and professionalism including weight bias reduction and advocacy (3%). ABOM-certified physicians diagnose secondary causes of obesity, prescribe GLP-1 receptor agonists and other anti-obesity medications, and manage metabolic complications across the lifespan.

Questions

200 scored questions

Time Limit

5 hours (4 blocks × 60 minutes)

Passing Score

Pass/fail (modified Angoff method)

Exam Fee

$1,500 (early) / $1,750 (final) (ABOM)

DABOM Exam Content Outline

37%

Evaluating, Examining & Diagnosing Patients

Weight/nutrition/eating behavior history, medication review, neuropsychiatric assessment, metabolic complications, secondary and genetic causes, obesity diagnosis and severity classification

60%

Treating Patients with Obesity

Behavior modification, nutrition and physical activity counseling, anti-obesity medications (GLP-1 agonists, tirzepatide), bariatric devices, metabolic/bariatric surgery, special populations, long-term management

3%

Practicing with Professionalism

Professional competence, reducing weight bias and stigma, patient advocacy, public awareness

How to Pass the DABOM Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Pass/fail (modified Angoff method)
  • Exam length: 200 questions
  • Time limit: 5 hours (4 blocks × 60 minutes)
  • Exam fee: $1,500 (early) / $1,750 (final)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

DABOM Study Tips from Top Performers

1Treatment is 60% of the exam — master GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide, liraglutide), GIP/GLP-1 dual agonists (tirzepatide), and their mechanisms, dosing, and side effects
2Know bariatric surgery types (Roux-en-Y, sleeve gastrectomy) and their metabolic effects, nutritional deficiency risks, and patient selection criteria
3Understand secondary causes of obesity: hypothyroidism, Cushing syndrome, medication-induced (antipsychotics, corticosteroids, insulin, sulfonylureas)
4Study special populations thoroughly (9% of exam): pediatric obesity, pregnancy, elderly, psychiatric comorbidities
5Know BMI classifications and limitations, waist circumference thresholds, and emerging measures like body composition analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the DABOM exam?

The ABOM exam contains 200 multiple-choice questions: 180 scored and 20 unscored pretest items. Questions are vignette-style and divided into 4 blocks of 50 questions with 60 minutes per block.

What is the DABOM exam pass rate?

First-time pass rates have ranged from 85–94% historically. The 2024 exam had a 93.7% first-time pass rate and the 2025 exam had an 88.8% pass rate. ABOM publishes annual pass rate data.

How much does the DABOM exam cost?

The 2026 exam fee is $1,500 if applied by July 10 (early deadline) or $1,750 by August 7 (final deadline). Retake fee is $450. There is no refund after August 15.

Who is eligible for the DABOM exam?

Only physicians (MD/DO) with an active unrestricted medical license, completed residency, and active ABMS or AOA board certification. Applicants need 60 obesity-specific CME credits (30 from ABOM Primary Partners) or completion of an approved obesity medicine fellowship.

When is the DABOM exam offered?

The ABOM exam is offered once per year in October. The 2026 test window is October 3–17, 2026, at Pearson VUE testing centers in the U.S. and Canada.

What topics should I focus on for the DABOM exam?

Treatment dominates at 60% — focus on obesity medications (GLP-1 agonists, tirzepatide), bariatric surgery indications, and nutrition counseling. Evaluation/diagnosis is 37% — master secondary causes, metabolic complications, and severity classification. Professionalism is only 3%.