Stay Connected Contact Us Email Page Print Page En Español

Obesity

Treatment

There are many ways to reach a healthy weight. The treatment methods depend on the level of obesity, overall health and willingness to participate in a weight-loss plan. Some treatment methods include:

• Dietary changes
• Physical activity
• Weight-loss surgery

Dietary Changes

Reducing daily calorie intake and eating healthier are vital to overcoming obesity. Slow and steady weight loss of one or two pounds a week is considered the safest way to lose weight and the best way to keep it off permanently.

Avoid drastic and unrealistic diet changes, such as crash diets, because they're unlikely to keep excess weight off for the long term. While there is no set approach to identifying a fad diet, many have the following characteristics:

• Promises fast weight loss
• Claims sound too good to be true
• Foods are defined as "good" and "bad"
• Less than 1,000 calories daily
• Require vitamin/mineral supplement or food product
• Elimination of a major food group (e.g. grains, fats, meats, dairy, fruit, vegetables)
• Lack of long-term randomized scientific studies proving the diet works and is safe.
• Elimination of an essential nutrient (e.g. carbohydrates, fats, proteins)
• No activity or exercise needed
• It's written by someone with no expertise in weight management

Visit the Weight-control Information Network's Weight-loss and Nutrition Myths webpage to find out more about weight loss and fad diets.

Increased Activity

Most people who are able to maintain their weight loss for more than a year get regular exercise. The goal of activity and exercise for weight loss is to burn more calories, although exercise offers many other health benefits as well. The number of calories burned depends on the frequency, duration and intensity of the activity.

Weight-loss Surgery

As a treatment for severe obesity, weight loss surgery's popularity is growing. But it isn't for everyone. Keep in mind that surgery to produce weight loss is a serious undertaking; the more extensive the surgery, the greater the risk for complications and nutritional deficiencies. Understand the pros and cons associated with the procedure before making any decisions.

A successful and safe surgery requires a strong commitment to eating right and exercising before and after the surgery. These lifestyle changes must be adhered to otherwise serious complications from the surgery are likely to develop.

Candidates must have:

• BMI of 40 or more
• BMI is 35 to 39.9 plus a serious weight-related health problem, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
• Proof that their attempts to lose weight through diet and exercise have been ineffective.

For more information on weight loss surgery visit the Weight Control Information Networks webpage