Do you need to lose weight? Have you been thinking about trying a weight-loss program? Diets and programs that promise to help you lose weight are advertised everywhere—through magazines and newspapers, radio, TV, and websites. Are these programs safe? Will they work for you?
This fact sheet provides tips on how to identify a weight-loss program that may help you lose weight safely and keep the weight off over time. It also suggests ways to talk to your health care provider about your weight. He or she may be able to help you control your weight by making changes to your eating and physical activity habits. If these changes are not enough, you may want to consider a weight-loss program or other types of treatment.
Weight gain usually happens over time. Most people know when they’ve gained weight. Some of the signs of overweight or obesity include:
- Clothes feeling tight and needing a larger size.
- The scale showing that you’ve gained weight.
- Having extra fat around the waist.
- A higher than normal body mass index and waist circumference. (For more information, go to “How Are Overweight and Obesity Diagnosed?“)