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
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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
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Weight Loss for Life(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/for_life.htm
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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 - Overweight, Obesity, and Weight Loss(National Women's Health Information Center) - http://womenshealth.gov/faq/overweight-weight-loss.cfm
- Weight Loss: 6 Strategies for Success(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/weight-loss/HQ01625/METHOD=print
- Can't Control Junk Food Cravings? Blame the Brain(05/01/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83698.html
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Warning on Hydroxycut Products(05/01/2009, Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/hydroxycut050109.html
- Remembrance of Fat May Be at Root of Cravings(04/29/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83563.html
- After Weight Loss, Lower-Fat Diets May Be Best(04/23/2009, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83321.html
- FDA Uncovers Additional Tainted Weight Loss Products(03/20/2009, Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW01977.html
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Heart-Healthy, Reduced-Calorie Diets Promote Long-Term Weight Loss(02/25/2009, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nih.gov/news/health/feb2009/nhlbi-25.htm
- More News on Weight Control http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_w.html#weightcontrol
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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
- 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Guide to Behavior Change(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/behavior.htm
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Physical Activity and Weight Control(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/physical.htm
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Disease and Conditions Podcasts(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/pods/podcasts.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
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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
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Dieting and Gallstones(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/gallstones.htm
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Hoodia(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/health/hoodia/
- 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
- Snacks: How They Fit into Your Weight-Loss Plan(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/healthy-diet/HQ01396/METHOD=print
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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
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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) - http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~ear/hwm/hwmintro.html
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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) - http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~ear/hwm/labelman.html
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Watch Your Weight!(Healthy Roads Media) - http://www.healthyroadsmedia.org/english/Files/flv/engwt.htm
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Diet, Reducing(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/intervention=diet+reducing
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Weight Loss(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/intervention=%22weight+loss%22
- African Americans Lose Weight in 12-Week, Church-Based Program(American Heart Association) - http://americanheart.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=692
- 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
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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
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: What effect does weight-loss surgery have on pregnancy outcomes? - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19328272&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Anthropometric, metabolic, psychosocial, and dietary characteristics of overweight/obese postmenopausal women... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19328269&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Implementing a low-fat eating plan in the Women's Intervention Nutrition... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19328264&tool=MedlinePlus
- Weight Control -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(weight+loss[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
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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
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - http://www.niddk.nih.gov/
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Weight-Control Information Network(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/
- FastStats: Overweight(National Center for Health Statistics) - http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/overwt.htm
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Facts About Fat - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/fall08/articles/fall08pg28b.html
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Keep Weight Off - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/fall08/articles/fall08pg28a.html
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Know Your Body Mass Index (BMI) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/winter07/articles/winter07pg16.html
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The "Biggest Loser" Expounds on The Benefits of Losing Pounds - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/winter08/articles/winter08pg13.html
- 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
- 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
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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
- Diets - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diets.html
- 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