 | Weight loss to lower elevated blood pressure in overweight and
obese persons with high blood pressure. |
| Weight loss to lower elevated levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol,
and triglycerides, and to raise low levels of HDL-cholesterol in
overweight and obese persons with dyslipidemia. |
| Weight loss to lower elevated blood glucose levels in
overweight and obese persons with type 2 diabetes. |
| Use the BMI to assess overweight and obesity. Body weight
alone can be used to follow weight loss, and to determine the
effectiveness of therapy. |
| The BMI to classify overweight and obesity and to estimate
relative risk of disease compared to normal weight. |
| The waist circumference should be used to assess abdominal fat
content. |
| The initial goal of weight loss therapy should be to reduce
body weight by about 10 percent from baseline. With success, and
if warranted, further weight loss can be attempted. |
| Weight loss should be about 1 to 2 pounds per week for a
period of 6 months, with the subsequent strategy based on the
amount of weight lost. |
| Low calorie diets (LCD) for weight loss in overweight and
obese persons. Reducing fat as part of an LCD is a practical way
to reduce calories. |
| Reducing dietary fat alone without reducing calories is not
sufficient for weight loss. However, reducing dietary fat, along
with reducing dietary carbohydrates, can help reduce calories.
|
| A diet that is individually planned to help create a deficit
of 500 to 1,000 kcal/day should be an intregal part of any program
aimed at achieving a weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week. |
| Physical activity should be part of a comprehensive weight
loss therapy and weight control program because it: (1) modestly
contributes to weight loss in overweight and obese adults, (2) may
decrease abdominal fat, (3) increases cardiorespiratory fitness,
and (4) may help with maintenance of weight loss. |
| Physical activity should be an integral part of weight loss
therapy and weight maintenance. Initially, moderate levels of
physical activity for 30 to 45 minutes, 3 to 5 days a week, should
be encouraged. All adults should set a long-term goal to
accumulate at least 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity
physical activity on most, and preferably all, days of the week.
|
| The combination of a reduced calorie diet and increased
physical activity is recommended since it produces weight loss
that may also result in decreases in abdominal fat and increases
in cardiorespiratory fitness. |
| Behavior therapy is a useful adjunct when incorporated into
treatment for weight loss and weight maintenance. |
| Weight loss and weight maintenance therapy should employ the
combination of LCD's, increased physical activity, and behavior
therapy. |
| After successful weight loss, the likelihood of weight loss
maintenance is enhanced by a program consisting of dietary
therapy, physical activity, and behavior therapy which should be
continued indefinitely. Drug therapy can also be used. However,
drug safety and efficacy beyond 1 year of total treatment have not
been established. |
| A weight maintenance program should be a priority after the
initial 6 months of weight loss therapy. |
