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Weight management

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Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Calculating body frame size
Calculating body frame size
Isometric exercise
Isometric exercise
Fast food
Fast food
Healthy diet
Healthy diet
Fish in diet
Fish in diet
Hunger center in brain
Hunger center in brain
Muscle cells vs. fat cells
Muscle cells vs. fat cells
Yo-yo dieting
Yo-yo dieting
Weight loss
Weight loss

Definition    Return to top

Weight management means keeping your body weight at a healthy level.

Information    Return to top

Regular exercise and a healthy diet are crucial when it comes to controlling your weight. A weight management plan depends on whether you are overweight or underweight.

An easy way to determine your own desirable body weight is to use the following formula:

Body fat and body mass measurements are used to determine whether a person is under- or overweight. A registered dietitian or exercise physiologist can help you calculate your body fat. The recommended amount of body fat differs for men and women.

For women:

For men:

Body mass index (BMI) is an indirect measurement of your body composition. It takes into consideration both your weight and height. BMI helps determine your risk for certain diseases, including diabetes and hypertension.

It is important to note that the terms "overweight" and "obesity" do NOT mean the same thing.

Weight management for people who have been overweight involves continued physical activity and monitoring the amount of food eaten.

UNDERWEIGHT

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia are eating disorders associated with a negative body image. Anorexia nervosa is a disorder in which people extremely limit their food intake. This results in dangerously quick weight loss, to the point of starvation. This disorder is most commonly found in adolescent females, but may also occur in males, children, and adults.

Bulimia is binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting. It's often associated with anorexia nervosa. Many people with bulimia don't lose a lot of weight, and may not get medical attention until they seek help.

Excessive intentional weight loss can cause a person to be dangerously underweight. To maintain their weight, people with eating disorders must eat enough food to prevent them from losing the weight they have gained.

CALORIES FOR WEIGHT MAINTENANCE

To maintain your weight, you can use the following formula:

Activity levels:

A BALANCED DIET

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

To successfully manage your weight, follow these basic guidelines:

RESOURCES

A registered dietitian is an excellent resource for individualized weight management. The registered dietitian can provide information on classes and programs available in your community.

The Federal Trade Commission offers consumer brochures that evaluate commercial weight management programs.

Note: 1 calorie equals 1000 calories or 1 kilocalorie.

See also: Diet and calories

Update Date: 5/17/2007

Updated by: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2008, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.