Weight & Obesity

Weight management requires a committed, long-term approach to healthy living and healthy eating. The body's composition of fat, muscle, bone and other tissues affects weight. Obesity is an excess of total body fat mass. It is usually measured as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. BMI is defined as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.

Weight management includes all the steps a person takes to maintain a healthy weight. This typically involves eating a well-balanced diet in which calorie intake matches energy output. Regular physical activity is another crucial component of weight management.

A person’s weight also depends on several other factors, including age, gender, behaviors and health status. Genetic factors also play a significant role, helping to determine a person’s height, size and shape of body frame. In addition, the eating and activity patterns established during childhood help to determine those patterns for life.

Diet and exercise are the chief controllable factors that influence a person’s weight. Generally, experts recommend a diet that is lower in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol. Such a diet should be rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy products and other healthy foods.