Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight-Loss Program: NIDDK
Article title: Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight-Loss Program: NIDDK
Conditions: overweight, obesity
Source: NIDDK
Almost any of
the commercial weight-loss programs can work, but only if they motivate
you sufficiently to decrease the amount of calories you eat or increase
the amount of calories you burn each day (or both). What elements of a
weight-loss program should an intelligent consumer look for in judging its
potential for safe and successful weight loss?
A Responsible and Safe Weight-Loss
Program
A responsible and safe weight-loss program
should be able to document for you the five following features:
- The diet should be safe. It should include all of the Recommended
Daily Allowances (RDAs) for vitamins, minerals, and protein. The
weight-loss diet should be low in calories (energy) only, not in
essential foodstuffs.
- The weight-loss program should be directed towards a slow, steady
weight loss unless your doctor feels your health condition would benefit
from more rapid weight loss. Expect to lose only about a pound a week
after the first week or two. With many calorie-restricted diets there is
an initial rapid weight loss during the first I to 2 weeks, but this
loss is largely fluid. The initial rapid loss of fluid also is regained
rapidly when you return to a normal-calorie diet. Thus, a reasonable
goal of weight loss must be expected.
- If you plan to lose more than 15 to 20 pounds, have any health
problems, or take medication on a regular basis, you should be evaluated
by your doctor before beginning your weight-loss program. A doctor can
assess your general health and medical conditions that might be affected
by dieting and weight loss. Also, a physician should be able to advise
you on the need for weight loss, the appropriateness of the weight-loss
program, and a sensible goal of weight loss for you. If you plan to use
a very-low-calorie diet (a special liquid formula diet that replaces all
food intake for I to 4 months), you definitely should be examined and
monitored by a doctor.
- Your program should include plans for weight maintenance after the
weight loss phase is over. It is of little benefit to lose a large
amount of weight only to regain it. Weight maintenance is the most
difficult part of controlling weight and is not consistently implemented
in weight-loss programs. The program you select should include help in
permanently changing your dietary habits and level of physical activity,
to alter a lifestyle that may have contributed to weight gain in the
past. Your program should provide behavior modification help, including
education in healthy eating habits and long-term plans to deal with
weight problems. One of the most important factors in maintaining weight
loss appears to be increasing daily physical activity, often by sensible
increases in daily activity, as well as incorporating an individually
tailored exercise program.
- A commercial weight-loss program should provide a detailed statement
of fees and costs of additional items such as dietary supplements.
Weight Control Must Be Considered a Life-Long
Effort
Obesity is a chronic condition. Too often it is
viewed as a temporary problem that can be treated for a few months with a
strenuous diet. However, as most overweight people know, weight control
must be considered a life-long effort. To be safe and effective, any
weight-loss program must address the long-term approach or else the
program is largely a waste of money and effort.
Obesity affects about one in four adult Americans, and during any one
year, over half of Americans go on a weight-loss diet or are trying to
maintain their weight. For many people who try to lose weight, it is
difficult to lose more than a few pounds! and few succeed in remaining at
the reduced weight The difficulty in losing weight and keeping it off
leads many people to turn to a professional or commercial weight-loss
program for help. These programs are quite popular and are widely
advertised in newspapers and on television. What is the evidence that any
of these programs is worthwhile, that they will help you lose weight and
keep it off and that they will do it safely?
Endnote: This statement was developed with the advice of the
National Task Force on Prevention and Treatment of Obesity, a subcommittee
of the National Digestive Diseases Advisory Board.
Weight-control Information Network
1 Win Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3665
Tel: (202) 828-1025
or 1-877-946-4627
Fax: (202) 828-1028
E-mail: win@info.niddk.nih.gov
The Weight-control Information Network (WIN) is a service of the
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK),
part of the National Institutes of Health, under the U.S. Public Health
Service. Authorized by Congress (Public Law 103-43), WIN assembles and
disseminates to health professionals and the public information on weight
control, obesity, and nutritional disorders. WIN responds to requests for
information; develops, reviews, and distributes publications; and develops
communications strategies to encourage individuals to achieve and maintain
a healthy weight.
Publications produced by the clearinghouse are reviewed carefully for
scientific accuracy, content, and readability.
This e-text is not copyrighted. The clearinghouse encourages users of
this e-pub to duplicate and distribute as many copies as desired.
NIH Publication No. 94-3700
December 1993
e-text posted: 19 February 1998
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