Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common condition affecting hospitalized patients and it is associated with increased mortality, length of stay and health-care costs. Prophylaxis using low-molecular weight heparins (LMWH) is an efficient intervention preventing VTE in high-risk patients, yet some evidence suggests suboptimal prophylaxis in obese inpatients. This narrative review evaluates current evidence, both on clinical and surrogate outcomes, which can guide the adaptation of prophylactic doses of enoxaparin among obese medical inpatients.