Weight Loss and Control

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Medical Author:

Gayle M Galletta, MD

Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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• 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
• Medications and Surgery
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Read more on Weight Loss and Control from Healthwise
• Fat and Fats FAQs

Obesity is simply the accumulation of excess body fat. It is much more than that, however. Obesity is a chronic (long-term) disease with serious complications 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, 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:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Osteoarthritis
• Gallstones
• Lung disease and sleep apnea
• Colon cancer
• Endometrial cancer
• Depression

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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