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IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING
with being obese or
overweight—and millions of Americans are—it’s important
to know that you really can lose unwanted pounds.
It takes time and determination, but weight-loss success is
within your reach. Your healthcare team can help you make
lifestyle changes and find out which weight-loss options are
right for you.
Check your BMI
How do you know if you’re overweight or obese?
One way to check is with the body mass index (BMI)—an
estimate of body fat based on your height and weight. Having a
BMI of 25 to 29.9 indicates that you are overweight. Having a
BMI of 30 or greater signifies that you are obese. You can calcu-
late your BMI by going t
Both obesity and being overweight can increase your risk of
high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other
serious health problems.
What are your options?
Weight loss, even a modest amount, can often help improve
your health. Lifestyle changes are the basic tools.
Your doctor or a dietitian can help you learn about making
wise food choices, reducing oversize portions and identifying
habits that may cause you to consume more calories than you
burn. A slow, steady weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds a week will
usually be the goal.
You may need 300 or more minutes a week of moderately
intense activities, such as brisk walking or cycling, to help meet
your weight-loss goals. Start slowly and build up. Ten-minute
chunks of exercise throughout the day can help you meet
your goals.
Sometimes, however, diet and exercise alone aren’t enough
to help people lose sufficient amounts of weight to improve
their health. In that case, medicines or surgery may be an option.
Prescription weight-loss medicines work by curbing appetite
or limiting the body’s absorption of fat. They should be com-
bined with healthy eating and exercise.
Bariatric surgery may be an option if your BMI is 40 or more
Find the WEIGHT-LOSS option
that’s right for you
or if you have a weight-related health condition, such as type 2
diabetes, and your BMI is 35 or greater.
Surgery requires a lifelong commitment to healthy eating, ex-
ercise and long-term medical follow-up. You should discuss the
risks, benefits and required lifestyle changes with your doctor.
Discover a new you
Think of your weight-loss efforts as a new way of life, rather
than a quick fix. Your doctor can help you get started today.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
BOTH OBESITY
and being overweight
can increase your risk of high blood pressure,
heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other
serious health problems.
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