The pan-European Survey of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol measured the prevalence of low HDL-cholesterol and other cardiometabolic risk factors in 8545 patients in 11 European countries. The survey also included a question, 'Is your patient obese?' with possible answers of 'Yes' or 'No'. Answers to this question were compared with actual obesity status, based on standard cut-off values for body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference.