Weight management 101
Extra body weight brings extra health risks. Find out how to keep your weight in the healthy range.
1. What's the difference between being overweight and obese?
2. What are the health risks of being overweight or obese?
3. How can I lower my risk of developing these health problems?
4. What's the best way to lose weight?
5. How much weight should I try to lose each week?
6. What kind of diet will help me get to a healthy weight?
7. How much should I eat during the day?
8. How much exercise do I need?
9. What is the best kind of exercise to help me lose weight?
10. Are there medicines to help with weight loss?
11. Is weight-loss surgery a good idea?
12. Where can I go to learn more?
Answers
1. What's the difference between being overweight and obese?
A person who is overweight or obese has too much body weight in relation to his or her height. The body mass index (BMI) is a tool for evaluating the health of your body weight by comparing weight and height. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, while a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. To check your BMI, use this calculator.
2. What are the health risks of being overweight or obese?
Weighing too much can increase your risk for many health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis (breakdown of the cartilage and bone in the joints), sleep apnea, stroke and some forms of cancer.
3. How can I lower my risk of developing these health problems?
Losing just 5% of your body weight can help lower your risk of weight-related health problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For instance, if you weigh 200 pounds, this means losing 10 pounds.
4. What's the best way to lose weight?
To lose weight, you need to consume fewer calories than you burn each day. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends accomplishing this with a combination of a healthy, well-balanced diet and increased physical activity.
5. How much weight should I try to lose each week?
Slow and steady weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week is the healthiest way to lose weight. To help you stay motivated, try breaking down your long-term goal into a series of smaller, more manageable goals. For instance, aim to lose 5 pounds at a time, not 25 pounds all at once.
6. What kind of diet will help me get to a healthy weight?
Start by filling up on high-fiber, low-calorie fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Switch over to low-fat meat, poultry and dairy products if you haven't already. Overall, choose a diet that is low in saturated fat, sodium and added sugars.
7. How much should I eat during the day?
Try to eat well-balanced meals at regular times during the day. Be sure to eat only until you are full. If you're hungry for a second serving, consider taking seconds of vegetables or salad instead of higher-fat, higher-calorie foods such as meats or desserts. Stay away from high-calorie snack foods such as chips and sodas, and instead choose low-fat or fat-free yogurt, fruit or whole-grain crackers.
8. How much exercise do I need?
To lose weight or maintain weight loss, CDC says you should shoot for 60 to 90 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, most days of the week.
9. What is the best kind of exercise to help me lose weight?
You might try brisk walking (15 minutes per mile or 4 mph), biking, swimming or any other activity you enjoy. It also helps to work exercise into your daily routine. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking during your lunch break or working in the yard.
10. Are there medicines to help with weight loss?
Several medications are available to treat obesity. Some promote weight loss by decreasing appetite or increasing the feeling of being full. Another type of medicine works by reducing the body's ability to absorb fat from food.
Prescription weight-loss medications should only be used by people whose weight puts them at risk for health problems. They are not intended for cosmetic weight loss.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), you may be a candidate for weight-loss medicine if your BMI is 30 or higher, or if your BMI is 27 or higher and you have medical problems related to your weight. Weight-loss medicines should always be combined with a healthful diet and regular exercise. Your doctor can help you decide whether weight-loss medication is right for you and tell you about possible side effects that may occur from the medications.
11. Is weight-loss surgery a good idea?
According to the NIDDK, surgery may be an option for severely obese people who are unable to lose weight through diet and exercise or who have serious obesity-related health problems. Surgery promotes weight loss by restricting food intake and, in some cases, by interrupting the digestive process. You may be a candidate for weight-loss surgery if your BMI is 40 or more, or if your BMI is 35 or more and you have weight-related health problems, such as diabetes or heart disease, according to the NIDDK.
12. Where can I go to learn more?
To find out more about weight management, visit the Weight Management health topic center. You can also find out more at these websites:
- The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Reviewed 7/13/2023