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Weight Management

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Weight management facts

  • To be at their best, adults need to avoid gaining excess weight, many need to lose weight, and some are underweight.
  • Being overweight or obese increases a person's risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain types of cancer, arthritis, and breathing problems.
  • A healthy weight is a major factor for a long, healthy life.

How can people use their BMI to evaluate their bodies?

When it comes to adults and children, different methods are used to find out if weight is about right for height. Adults should learn their BMI (click here for calculations). Not all adults who have a BMI in the range labeled "healthy" are at their most healthy weight.

  • Some may have lots of fat and little muscle.
  • A BMI above the healthy range is less healthy for most people; but it may be fine if someone has lots of muscle, a large body frame, and little fat.
  • The further one's BMI is above the healthy range, the higher one's weight-related risk. If a person's BMI is above the healthy range, he or she may benefit from weight loss, especially if there are other health risk factors.
  • BMIs slightly below the healthy range may still be healthy unless they result from illness.

There is no single perfect body size for children. However, many children in the United States are overweight. If someone has concerns about his or her child's body size, talk with a health-care professional.

Keep track of one's weight and waist measurement, and take action if either of them increases. If someone's BMI is greater than 25, at least try to avoid further weight gain. If middle-aged or elderly and the waist measurement increases, one is probably gaining fat and losing muscle. If so, take steps to eat less and become more active.

Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 7/24/2014

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A Realistic Approach to Weight Loss

Fad diets that ignore the principles of the Dietary Guidelines may result in short term weight loss, but may do so at the risk of your health. How you go about managing your weight has a lot to do with your long-term success. Unless your health is seriously at risk due to complications from being overweight or obese, gradual weight loss should be your rule -- and your goal.

SOURCE: Government