Obesity in Adults   

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the most recently analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2002 )showed that 65 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese. Being obese or overweight puts you at increased risk for high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, stroke, dementia, some forms of cancer, and many other health problems.

In recent years, obesity has increased in every state of the United States. Men and women of all races, ages, and education levels weigh more than ever before.

Evaluating Your Health Risk

Because people come in a variety of shapes and sizes, weight isn't always the best predictor of whether a person will develop chronic disease. Instead, doctors look at the following information to identify those who may be at risk for health problems.

Body mass index (BMI) is a calculation that uses height and weight to estimate body fat. If your BMI is greater than 25, but less than 30, you are in the overweight category. If you BMI is 30 or greater you are in the obese category. While BMI suggests the amount of body fat, it does not directly measure body fat. Some people, such as athletes, may have a BMI that identifies them as overweight even though they do not have excess body fat.

Waist circumference indicates where fat is stored in your body. Excess fat in the abdomen may mean you're at a higher risk for health problems. To find your waist circumference, simply measure around your waist with a tape measure. A waist circumference greater than or equal to 35 inches in women or 40 inches in men can be associated with increased risk of obesity-associated problems

Inactivity, tobacco use, existing diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a family history of heart disease are factors that increase your risk for developing health problems from chronic conditions. If you have any of these other risk factors, weight management is especially important for you.

How to Achieve Your Healthy Weight

In the past, recommended weight loss goals were based on a so-called ideal body weight. Ideal body weight is determined by height and gender and can be unrealistic for many people.

For some people, simply preventing weight gain is an appropriate goal. For others, losing just 5 to 10 pounds is recommended. If you think you'd like to lose more, your chances of success are greater if you take small steps. Reach your goal of a 5- to 10-pound loss first; then reevaluate your need for further weight loss. Focus on achieving lifestyle change, not a number on the scale. If you are a numbers person, remember that weighing yourself every day might be discouraging. If you want to follow your weight loss, weigh yourself only once a week at the same time and on the same scale.

Simple Steps for Weight Management

• To loose weight, use more calories than you eat. This requires you balance your calorie intake and your activity level. To learn more about how to do this, go to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)  My Pyramid Plan web site http://www.mypyramid.gov/index.html

• The best way to lose a pound a week is to reduce your food intake by 250 calories a day and increase your activity level by 250 calories a day. The USDA says between 20 to 50 percent of the amount of calories you need each day is determined by how physically active you are. The remainder of the calories you need per day are used for basic body functions such as breathing, circulating blood and keeping cells functioning.

• Eat all your vegetables, but try leaving behind one fourth of your entree. If you clean your plate at every meal, you are probably eating too much, especially if you eat out often.

• Quench your thirst with water instead of soda pop or sweetened drinks such as Kool-Aid or sports drinks. A can of regular soda has  about 160 calories. If you are drinking even just one can per day, switching to water or diet soda for 6 months can eliminate 28,800 calories from your diet. That equals 8 pounds.

• Shoot for adding at least one serving of vegetables or fruits a day. In general, fruits and vegetables are low in calories, have a lot of nutrients, and can even curb your appetite for less healthy foods.

• Cut back on the number of times you eat out. Remember, eating out means restaurants, fast foods, convenience stores, and vending machines.

• Switch to food that is grilled, baked, or fresh. Frying foods and adding sauces can double the calories of a meal.

• Know how much you are eating. Get out your measuring cups and see how your portion sizes measure up.

• Keep track of every thing you eat for 3 days. This may help identify one or two habits that are sabotaging your weight management efforts.

Your Weight Management Plan

The best way to tackle weight management is through a combination of changed eating habits and adequate physical activity.

What you eat is important. A healthy diet doesn't just mean eating less; it means adopting a habit of choosing healthy foods for years to come.

Physical activity burns calories and builds muscle. You can maintain your weight and even lose weight just by eating less, but weight loss comes easier when you increase your activity. The USDA 2005 Dietary Guidelines recommends 30 to 60 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week.

Slow, gradual weight loss (1 to 2 pounds a week) is healthier, easier to manage, and more likely to be permanent than rapid weight loss. One pound of body weight equals 3,500 calories.

About Fad Diets

When it comes to losing weight, people in the United States want fast results. We've all heard that to lose weight, we need to eat less and exercise more. But those aren't easy changes to make, and results come slowly. Most of us would rather be able to take a pill or make some simple change to our diet to lose extra pounds quickly.

Do Fad Diets Work?

Many people do lose weight on fad diets. However, experts point out that it's usually because people are eating fewer calories on the diets, not because of some magic ingredient or food combination. For example, people may lose weight on a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet, but it's not because they cut out carbohydrates. It's because that diet limits calories. A calorie is a calorie, and whether it comes from protein, carbohydrate, or fat, you still have to eat fewer calories than you burn to lose weight.

Most fad diets promise fast results. But when you lose weight rapidly, you lose mostly water and muscle, not fat. Because fad diets don't teach you how to change your eating and activity habits, the weight comes right back as soon as you go off the diet. And diets that restrict what types of food you eat aren't easy to stick to for very long.

How to Spot a Fad Diet

Most people don't want to hear they have to change their eating habits and be more active to lose weight, and the people who promote fad diets know it. They make promises that sound so good, they convince even the most intelligent people. How do you know if it's a fad diet? Look for these clues:

• The diet suggests that certain foods can change your body chemistry or blames weight problems on specific hormones.

• It lists "good" and "bad" foods or food groups.

• It promises "rapid" results -- more than 1 to 2 pounds of weight loss per week.

• A magical pill, bar, shake, or food item is involved.

• It uses words like "fat burner" or "fat blocker."

• It promises you can lose weight without exercise.

• Remember this: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Medications and Surgery for Weight Loss

As in other chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, long-term use of prescription medications may be appropriate for some people. Although most side effects of prescription medications for obesity are mild, serious complications have been reported.

There are few studies lasting more than 2 years evaluating the safety or effectiveness of weight loss medications. Weight loss medications should be used only by patients who are at increased medical risk because of their obesity and should not be used for cosmetic weight loss. Weight loss medications generally fall into two categories: those that decrease appetite and those that block absorption of fat from the intestines.  Neither is approved for long term use.

Several surgical procedures are available to help people lose weight. Because these procedures have potential risks and complications, they are usually only done on people who have a BMI of 40 or more or who have other medical conditions that are worsened by their weight .