If you are overweight, you are not alone. Sixty-six percent of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese. Achieving a healthy weight can help you control your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. It might also help you prevent weight-related diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and some cancers.
Eating too much or not being physically active enough will make you overweight. To maintain your weight, the calories you eat must equal the energy you burn. To lose weight, you must use more calories than you eat. A weight-control strategy might include
- Choosing low-fat, low-calorie foods
- Eating smaller portions
- Drinking water instead of sugary drinks
- Being physically active
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight-Loss Program(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/choosing.htm
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Nutrition for Weight Loss: What It Takes to Lose Weight(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/food/improve/795.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/food/improve/795.printerview.html
- Weight Loss for Life(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/for_life.htm
- Better Health and You: Tips for Adults(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/better_health.htm
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Losing Weight Safely(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/opacom/lowlit/weightls.html
Also available in Spanish http://www.fda.gov/opacom/lowlit/sweghtls.html
- Obesity and Weight Loss(National Women's Health Information Center) - http://womenshealth.gov/faq/weightloss.htm
- Breastfeeding May Boost Post-Baby Weight Loss(09/16/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_69314.html
- Varicose Vein Treatment Eases Hunger for Pigs(09/16/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_69318.html
- Intensive Diabetes Program Has Lasting Effects(09/11/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_69153.html
- More News on Weight Control http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_w.html#weightcontrol
- Aim for a Healthy Weight: Assessing Your Risk(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/risk.htm
- An Ear for Weight Loss?(Cleveland Clinic Foundation) - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/healthy_living/weight_control/hic_an_ear_for_weight_loss.aspx
- Green Tea(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/health/greentea/index.htm
- Hoodia(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/health/hoodia/
- Over-the-Counter Weight-Loss Pills: Do They Work?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/weight-loss/HQ01160/METHOD=print
- Energy Density and Weight Loss: Feel Full on Fewer Calories(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/weight-loss/NU00195/METHOD=print
- Fast Food: 6 Ways to Healthier Meals(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/healthy-diet/HQ00599/METHOD=print
- Healthy Eating Starts with Healthy Food Shopping(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/shop.htm
- Just Enough for You: About Food Portions(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/just_enough.htm
- Key to Nutrition: A Diversified Portfolio(Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health) - http://www.omhrc.gov/templates/content.aspx?ID=4081&lvl=3&lvlID=287
- MedlinePlus: Nutrition(National Library of Medicine) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/nutrition.html
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Nutrition: Keeping a Food Diary(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/food/general-nutrition/299.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/food/general-nutrition/299.printerview.html
- Weight-Loss and Nutrition Myths: How Much Do You Really Know?(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/myths.htm
- Weight Loss Tip: First, Make Sure You're Ready(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/weight-loss/NU00266/METHOD=print
- Weight-Loss Help: How to Stop Emotional Eating(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/weight-loss/MH00025/METHOD=print
- Guide to Behavior Change(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/behavior.htm
- Physical Activity and Weight Control(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/physical.htm
- High-Protein Diets(American Heart Association) - http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=11234
- Low-Carb Diets(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/low-carb-diet/NU00279/METHOD=print
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Nutrition for Weight Loss: Is a Low-Carbohydrate Diet Right for Me?(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/food/improve/893.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/food/general-nutrition/893.printerview.html
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Nutrition for Weight Loss: What You Need to Know about Fad Diets(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/food/improve/784.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/food/general-nutrition/784.printerview.html
- Popular Diets Reviewed 2007(American Dietetic Association) - Links to PDF - http://www.eatright.org/ada/files/Popular_Diets_Reviewed_2007.pdf
- Too Skinny? How to Add Pounds Safely(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/underweight/AN00597/METHOD=print
- Very Low-Calorie Diets(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/low_calorie.htm
- Weight Cycling(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/cycling.htm
- Weight-Loss Drugs: Can a Prescription Help You Lose Weight?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/weight-loss-drugs/WT00013/METHOD=print
- Weight-Loss Options: 6 Common Diet Plans(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/weight-loss/NU00616/METHOD=print
- Dieting and Gallstones(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/gallstones.htm
- High-Protein Diets: Are They Safe?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/high-protein-diets/AN00847/METHOD=print
- Slow Metabolism: Is It to Blame for Weight Gain?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/slow-metabolism/AN00618/METHOD=print
- Weighing the Evidence in Diet Ads(Federal Trade Commission) - Links to PDF - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/health/hea03.pdf
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Calculate Your Body Mass Index(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/
Also available in Spanish http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/sp_bmi-m.htm
- Calculate Your Daily Calorie Needs(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_6_1x_Calorie_Calculator.asp
- Interactive Menu Planner(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/menuplanner/menu.cgi
- Make Your Calories Count(Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~ear/hwm/hwmintro.html
- Portion Distortion! Do You Know How Food Portions Have Changed in 20 Years?(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/portion/
- Make Your Calories Count: Use the Nutrition Facts Label for Healthy Weight Management(Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~ear/hwm/labelman.html
- Watch Your Weight!(Healthy Roads Media) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.healthyroadsmedia.org/english/Files/flv/engwt.htm
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Diet, Reducing(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/intervention=diet+reducing
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Weight Loss(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/intervention=%22weight+loss%22
- AHA Comments on Weight Loss Study Comparing Low Carbohydrate/High Protein, Mediterranean Style and Low Fat Diets(American Heart Association) - http://americanheart.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=473
- Food Diaries: Losing Weight the 'Write' Way(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_2_1x_Food_Diaries_Losing_Weight_the_Write_Way.asp
- Study Compares Year-Long Effectiveness of Four Weight-Loss Plans(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/030607.htm
- Article: Weight loss surgery puts diabetes in remission. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18711830&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Dropping insulin to drop pound. The practice of withholding insulin... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18686325&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Effect of exercise on 24-month weight loss maintenance in overweight... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18663167&tool=MedlinePlus
- Weight Control -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(weight+loss[majr]+OR+caloric+restriction[majr]+OR+diet,+reducing[majr]+OR+diet+fads[majr]+OR+anti-obesity+agents[majr])+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Obesity, Physical Activity, and Weight-Control Glossary(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/glossary.htm
- Find a Nutrition Professional(American Dietetic Association) - http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/home_4874_ENU_HTML.htm
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - http://www.niddk.nih.gov/
- Weight-Control Information Network(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/
- WIN Notes(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/notes/
- FASTATS: Overweight(National Center for Health Statistics) - http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/overwt.htm
- Is Dieting OK for Kids?(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/diet.html
- Keeping Portions Under Control(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/portions.html
- Overweight and Obesity(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/overweight_obesity.html
- Your Child's Weight(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/childs_weight.html
- 5 Ways to Reach (and Maintain!) a Healthy Weight(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/dieting/weight_tips.html
- Deal with Diets(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/dieting/dieting.html
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How Can I Lose Weight Safely?(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/dieting/lose_weight_safely.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/preguntas/lose_weight_safely_esp.html
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Should I Gain Weight?(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/nutrition/weight/gain_weight.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/mente/gain_weight_esp.html
- Teen Weight Loss: Safe Steps to a Healthy Weight(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/teen-weight-loss/WT00012/METHOD=print
- What's the Right Weight for My Height?(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/dieting/weight_height.html
- Fit and Fabulous As You Mature(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/mature.htm
- Weight Gain After Menopause(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/menopause-weight-gain/HQ01076/METHOD=print
- Young Woman’s Guide to Losing Weight the Safe Way(American Osteopathic Association) - http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=you_girlwght
- Eldercare at Home: Weight Loss and Nutrition Problems(AGS Foundation for Health in Aging) - http://www.healthinaging.org/public_education/eldercare/15.xml
- Eating Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/eatingdisorders.html
- Exercise and Physical Fitness - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/exerciseandphysicalfitness.html
- Nutrition - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/nutrition.html
- Obesity - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/obesity.html
- Weight Loss Surgery - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/weightlosssurgery.html
- Food and Nutrition - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/foodandnutrition.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Weight Control is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - http://www.niddk.nih.gov/
Weight Control - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/weightcontrol.html