Weight loss can have health benefits for people who have a high body mass index (BMI) or obesity. Healthcare providers may recommend it for those with a long-term condition or those undergoing surgery that requires anesthesia.<\/p>\n
Different <\/span>weight loss programs<\/span> exist and may include workout exercises and healthy <\/span>eating habits<\/span>. Sometimes, people may also need to take <\/span>weight management<\/span> medications, in the form of tablets or injectables, to help them achieve a <\/span>healthy weight<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Weight loss<\/span> refers to the reduction in <\/span>body weight<\/span> that can be “achieved by creating a calorie deficit through a combination of dietary changes, increased <\/span>physical activity<\/span>, and lifestyle modifications,” according to Sophia Turner, <\/span>dietitian<\/span>, fitness coach, and co-founder of <\/span>SlimEtc<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some people may prefer exercising independently, while others may decide to join a <\/span>weight-loss program<\/span>, such as <\/span>Weight Watchers<\/span><\/a>. Weight-loss programs should include regular <\/span>physical activity<\/span>, a nutritious diet plan, and a realistic <\/span>weight-loss<\/span> goal. (U.S. Department of Agriculture, n.d.)<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>American<\/span> Heart Association suggests engaging in moderate activity for 150 minutes weekly. This type of exercise causes an increase in heart rate and may include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n (<\/span>American<\/span> Heart Association, 2017)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dietitians<\/span> may recommend losing weight if someone has <\/span>obesity<\/span> or other health conditions, such as <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/a>. Sometimes, unexpected or unintentional weight loss can happen in those who:<\/span><\/p>\n (CMAJ, 2005)l.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that around 70% of adults in the U.S. have <\/span>obesity<\/span>. <\/span>Obesity<\/span> can increase the risk of developing chronic conditions, such as <\/span>heart disease<\/span> and stroke, which can lead to life-threatening situations. (FDA, 2021) (WHO, n.d.)<\/span><\/p>\n To reduce the risk of <\/span>heart disease<\/span>, those who are overweight should aim to lose 5-10% of their <\/span>body weight<\/span> through regular exercise and a healthy diet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The following are statistics that describe how <\/span>weight loss<\/span> can affect health complications:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is <\/span>weight loss<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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How common is <\/span>weight loss<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Weight loss statistics<\/span> in the U.S.<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Weight loss statistics<\/span> by sex<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Weight loss statistics<\/span> by race and ethnicity<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Weight loss statistics<\/span> by age<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Weight loss statistics<\/span> by weight status<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Weight loss<\/span> and overall health<\/span><\/h2>\n
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