Health Benefits of Weight Loss

Research shows the following health benefits for weight loss:

• Weight loss may improve survival in those who have an obesity-related disease, especially type 2 diabetes.³
• Blood pressure decreases with weight loss.⁴
• People with type 2 diabetes who lost weight had lower blood sugar levels and were able to use less medicine to lower their blood sugar levels.³
• Sustained weight loss prevented new cases of type 2 diabetes in people who were obese.³
• Weight loss makes it easier for you to breathe.⁴
• People with obstructive sleep apnea who lost as little as 10% of their weight improved their sleep patterns and had less daytime sleepiness.³

Exams and Tests

Along with a regular medical checkup, you may have some tests to check on your health.

Your doctor may want to do blood tests to check for type 2 diabetes, thyroid or liver problems, and high cholesterol or high triglyceride levels.

Your doctor will check your blood pressure, ask about any medicines you are taking, and discuss your medical history and your family's medical history. He or she will ask how active you are, whether you drink alcohol (and how much), your history of weight gain, and how often you have tried to lose weight.

Knowing your waist size along with your body mass index (BMI) can help your doctor check your risk for type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD).

Tests are available to estimate your body fat percentage (to find out about how much of your weight is fat). This is different from your BMI. With some of these tests, you may also learn your basal metabolic rate (BMR). Knowing your BMR can help your doctor or registered dietitian plan how many calories you need each day.

Early detection

Doctors use BMI to help screen for unhealthy weight. If you have a BMI of 30 or higher, your extra weight is putting your health in danger. If you are Asian, your health may be at risk with a BMI of 27.5 or higher.²

Use the Interactive Tool: Is Your BMI Increasing Your Health Risks? to find your BMI.

If you're concerned about your child's weight

If you have concerns that your child is overweight or at risk of becoming so, ask your doctor to review your child's growth charts and medical history with you. If your child's BMI and growth pattern suggest a weight problem, your doctor will give your child an exam to look for problems that can cause weight gain. He or she may ask questions about eating and exercise habits. Regular checkups will also be important over time.

Use the Interactive Tool: What Is Your Child's BMI? to find out the BMI of your child age 2 or older.