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February 6, 2012
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Weight Loss and Control

Medical Author:
Gayle M Galletta, MD
Coauthor:
Hasnain M Khandwala, MD, FRCPC
Medical Editor:
Arthur B Chausmer, MD, PhD, FACP, FACE, FACN, CNS
Medical Editor:
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD
Medical Editor:
George T Griffing, MD

Weight Loss and Control Overview

Obesity is simply the accumulation of excess body fat. It is much more than that, however. Obesity is a chronic (long-term) diseasethat is very difficult to treat. As such, it requires long-term treatment to lose weight and keep it off. There is no overnight solution-effective, permanent weight loss takes some time.

The essential factors in losing weight and keeping it off are motivation, proper eating and exercise habits, and an appreciation of better health. Losing weight will help you feel better. It also will improve your health.

Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States (tobacco is the first). People who are obese have much higher risks of many serious health problems than nonobese people. The most devastating of these health problems include the following:

The good news is that you don't have to reach your ideal weight to lower your risk of developing obesity-related medical problems.

  • Losing even 10% of your total body weight can significantly lower your risk.

  • If you weigh 250 pounds and lose 10% of your total body weight, losing those 25 pounds can have a meaningful positive effect on your health.

  • Losing 10% of your total body weight is a good goal to start with. You can always continue and lose more weight once you have reached your initial goal.
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Medication in the Treatment of Obesity »

Obesity Medication Overview

Obesity means accumulation of excess body fat. Obesity is considered a chronic (long-term) disease, like high blood pressure or diabetes. As such, it usually requires long-term treatment to successfully lose weight and keep it off. Obesity has many serious long-term consequences for your health, and it is the second leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States (tobacco is the first).

Obesity is an epidemic in the United States and in other developed countries. More than half of Americans are overweight. Nearly one third are obese. Obesity is on the rise in our society because food is abundant and physical activity is typically an option.

Each year, Americans spend billions of dollars on dieting, diet foods, diet books, diet pills, and the like. Another $45 billion is spent on treating the diseases associated with obesity. Furthermore, businesses suffer an estimated $20 billion loss in productivity each year from absence due ...

Read the Medication in the Treatment of Obesity article »


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Inadequate nutritional intake is more common in female athletes than in their male counterparts.

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