Choosing Your Weight Loss Program

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 a consumer look for in judging its potential for safe and successful weight loss? 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 toward 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 1 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 weight loss goal must be expected.

The Obesity Epidemic

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. One in three Americans is obese. Obesity is also increasing rapidly throughout the world, and the incidence of obesity has nearly doubled form 1991 to 1998. The definition of obesity varies depending on what one reads, but in general, it is a chronic condition defined by an excess amount body fat. A certain amount of body fat is necessary for storing energy, heat insulation, shock absorption, and other functions.

Obesity is not just a cosmetic consideration; it is a dire health dilemma directly harmful to one's health. In the United States, roughly 300,000 deaths per year are directly related to obesity, and more than 80% of these deaths are in patients with a BMI (Body Mass Index) over 30. Obesity also increases the risk of developing a number of chronic diseases including Insulin Resistance, type 2 diabetes, heart attack, cancer, gallstones, gout and gouty arthritis, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and Pickwickian syndrome.

Weight Loss & Weight Management

I am the founder, director, and chief researcher of Bodexa Research, a nutrition research firm based in Boston, MA. Weight loss and weight management is a hot topic. That is what this blog is all about. The main purpose for this blog is to report my findings on the topic of weight loss and weight management.

Please feel free to comment on the posts and offer any ideas and suggestions you have. This blog is for all who are interested in weight loss and weight management. A very helpful review site for this topic is Manage Weight Loss Review. Check it out.