Primary Navigation for the CDC Website
CDC en Español

 Healhty Weight - it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle
Email Icon Email this page
Printer Friendly Icon Printer-friendly version

Other Resources

On this page:

Weight Assessment

BMI – Body Mass Index
One way to determine if you are at a healthy weight is to calculate your body mass index. BMI is calculated using your height and weight. BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people.


Weight Loss and Management

Aim for a Healthy Weight
This booklet published by National Heart, Lung and Blood institute (NHLBI), contains practical, easy-to-use information for losing and maintaining weight - including tips on healthy eating and physical activity, other options such as weight loss medications and weight loss surgery, setting weight loss goals, and rewarding success.

Weight-control Information Network
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Weight-control Information Network (WIN)
General information, publications, and other resources on weight control, obesity, physical activity, and related nutritional issues for the general public, health professionals, the media, and Congress.

SmallStep.gov
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Weight-loss success stories, Small Step tips, and other resources for maintaining and losing weight.


Nutrition

Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, published jointly by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides advice about how good dietary habits for people aged 2 years and older can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases.
Also available, a brochure for consumers: Finding Your Way to a Healthier You: Based on the Dietary Guidelines for AmericansPDF file(PDF-255K)

Face the Fat – AHA Fat Calculator*
American Heart Association's (AHA) tool helps take the guesswork out of eating fat and encourages smarter fat choices.

Fruits&VeggiesMatter.gov
How many fruits and vegetables do you need?

Healthy Recipes
Links to healthy recipes with calorie counts and nutritional information.

MyPyramid.gov
The new Department of Agriculture (USDA) food pyramid replaces "one size fits all" with a customizable eating plan. Explore the new pyramid to learn about the food groups and to see how much you need to eat.

Portion Distortion
Do you know how food portions have changed in 20 years? Take this quiz from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The USDA, Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC) Interactive Tools
These websites help consumers and professionals with an array of interactive tools for dietary assessment and planning, checking personal health risks, testing knowledge, and evaluating needs.

Weight-control Information Network
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Weight-control Information Network (WIN)
General information, publications, and other resources on weight control, obesity, physical activity, and related nutritional issues for the general public, health professionals, the media, and Congress.


Meal Planning and Tracking Tools

Meal Planning
This Food Diary PDF document (PDF-33k) and paper menu plannerPDF document (PDF-68k) is one way to sketch out your meals. If you need help, you might want to try MyPryamid's interactive meal planner. It will give you the approximate calories in your meals and show whether your meals are balanced for the day. It can help plan upcoming meals to meet your weight goals and suggest for potential ways to improve choices.

Meals Matter*
Developed by the Dairy Council of California, this site has recipes, personal nutrition planner, fitness planner and more.


Physical Activity Planning and Tracking Tools

My Physical Activity Diary PDF document (PDF-49k)
This paper physical activity planner is one way to track your exercise.

Meals Matter*
Developed by the Dairy Council of California, this site has a fitness planner, recipes, personal nutrition planner, and more.

SmallStep.gov
With this tool you can set physical activity goals, enter and save your physical activity on a calendar, track and view a graph of your progress, and earn an achievement certificate for reaching your goals.

food pyramidMyPyramid Tracker
MyPyramid Tracker is Department of Agriculture's (USDA) online dietary and physical activity assessment tool that provides information on your diet quality, physical activity status, related nutrition messages, and links to nutrient and physical activity information.

The President's Challenge*
Track your personal activity and see how close you are to your goal. You can also compare your progress with others and earn awards for completing each program.


Family Resources

Smallstep Kids
COOL stuff for you kids about FOOD and what it can do for them!

We Can!
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) offers a national education program designed for parents and caregivers to help children 8—13 years old stay at a healthy weight. The booklet Finding the Balance: A Parent Resources offers an array of easy to use practical tips and tools for parents and guardians to help their children and families eat healthy, increase physical activity, and decrease screen time.
 

back to top


PDF Document Icon Please note: Some of these publications are available for download only as *.pdf files. These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to be viewed. Please review the information on downloading and using Acrobat Reader software.

* Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.

Page last reviewed: July 31, 2008
Page last updated: July 31, 2008
Content Source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion