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Weight Loss and Control

Weight Loss and Control Overview
Nutrition 101
How to Lose Weight
Eating Less
Healthy Meals for Weight Loss
Increasing Your Activity Level
Changing Your Habits and Staying Motivated
Diet Plans: Beware
For More Information
Web Links
Synonyms and Keywords
Authors and Editors
Related Healthy Eating articles:
Healthy eating - on WebMD
Diet & Nutrition - from Health & Living on MedicineNet
Weight Loss - from Health & Living on MedicineNet

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) disease that 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.