do not skip meals — you might end up snacking more because you feel hungry. do not finish your plate if you're full — you can save leftover food for the next day. Start moving more and eating healthier with the free NHS Weight Loss Plan or sign-up for a weight loss support group.

Visit the NHS Better Health website. Filter by ingredient or time and find a new favourite for the whole family. Visit the NHS Healthier Families website. Follow an instructor-led workout from the comfort of your own home.

Choose from dance, yoga and more. Find out why you should get 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day and what a portion size look like. If you need help managing your weight, you might be able to refer yourself directly to services that can help you, without seeing a GP.

Click here to take our survey. Page last reviewed: 17 March Next review due: 17 March Home Live Well Healthy weight Managing your weight Back to Managing your weight.

Tips to help you lose weight. Information: Find out if you're a healthy weight Body mass index BMI is a measurement that works out if you're a healthy weight for your height. Studies show that writing down what you eat is an effective method for weight loss. Every bite or sip counts!

Tracking is also an effective tool for evaluating your eating habits and patterns. MyFitnessPal, Lose It, and Sparkpeople are top-ranked web-based and phone apps to help you track your daily intake and activity level.

The Healthy Eating Planner is a tool to help you assess your current eating habits, set goals and create a meal plan. Make use of your downtime to develop a basic menu for the upcoming week, go food shopping, and batch cook. Keep healthful foods on hand so you can toss together a wholesome meal in no time.

The Food Personality Quiz. Distribute your calories throughout the day rather than eating most of them after the sun goes down. This helps to keep your metabolism fired up, prevents drastic swings in blood sugar and helps with portion control throughout the day.

A good rule of thumb is to eat every hours. While it can help to have something calorie-free to drink or distract yourself with an activity like going for a walk, these are short-term fixes.

If you struggle with stress or emotional eating, a mindful eating app called Eat Right Now can help you to improve your relationship with food and strengthen your control over cravings. Contact beingwell yale. edu to learn more. Beverages like juice, soda, sweet teas, energy drinks, and flavored coffees can put a big dent in your daily calorie budget.

Make a habit of increasing your water intake. Count your cocktails too. Alcohol is dense in calories, even before it makes its way into a mixer.

But those who hop from one fad diet to the next often experience the metabolic roller coaster known as yo-yo dieting that jacks up our hunger hormones, plummets our metabolic rates, and causes a vicious spiral of weight loss followed by regain.

Even most medical interventions to help treat obesity produce the typical trajectory of rapid weight loss followed by weight plateau and then progressive weight regain. This means that based on our best estimates, only one in five individuals who is overweight is successful in long-term weight loss.

These include various energy intake-reducing behaviors — limiting calorie-dense foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, portion control and a consistent eating pattern across days, increased fruit and vegetable consumption — as well as being physically active for at least an hour per day.

This makes sense and is consistent across the scientific literature. Any successful weight loss necessitates tipping and keeping the scale toward greater energy expenditure and less energy intake a net negative energy balance.

The most important determinants of weight loss maintenance are those that cement changes in behavior. As more recent evidence confirms, the proper psychology for weight loss is critical for regulating the physiology that supports weight loss.

Only recently have we started to evaluate the psychological and cognitive determinants of weight loss maintenance. Several factors may contribute to this seeming contradiction. First, all individuals appear to selectively underestimate their intake of dietary fat and to decrease normal fat intake when asked to record it Goris et al.

If these results reflect the general tendencies of individuals completing dietary surveys, then the amount of fat being consumed by obese and, possibly, nonobese people, is greater than routinely reported. Second, although the proportion of total calories consumed as fat has decreased over the past 20 years, grams of fat intake per day have remained steady or increased Anand and Basiotis, , indicating that total energy intake increased at a faster rate than did fat intake.

Coupled with these findings is the fact that since the early s, the availability of low-fat and nonfat, but calorie-rich snack foods e. However, total energy intake still matters, and overconsumption of these low-fat snacks could as easily lead to weight gain as intake of their high-fat counterparts Allred, Two recent, comprehensive reviews have reported on the overall impact of low-fat diets.

Astrup and coworkers examined four meta-analyses of weight change that occurred on intervention trials with ad libitum low-fat diets. They found that low-fat diets consistently demonstrated significant weight loss, both in normal-weight and overweight individuals.

A dose-response relationship was also observed in that a 10 percent reduction in dietary fat was predicted to produce a 4- to 5-kg weight loss in an individual with a BMI of Most low-fat diets are also high in dietary fiber, and some investigators attribute the beneficial effects of low-fat diets to the high content of vegetables and fruits that contain large amounts of dietary fiber.

The rationale for using high-fiber diets is that they may reduce energy intake and may alter metabolism Raben et al. The beneficial effects of dietary fiber might be accomplished by the following mechanisms: 1 caloric dilution most high-fiber foods are low in calories and low in fat ; 2 longer chewing and swallowing time reduces total intake; 3 improved gastric and intestinal motility and emptying and less absorption French and Read, ; Leeds, ; McIntyre et al.

Dietary fiber is not a panacea, and the vast majority of controlled studies of the effects of dietary fiber on weight loss show minimal or no reduction in body weight LSRO, ; Pasman et al. Many individuals and companies promote the use of dietary fiber supplements for weight loss and reductions in cardiovascular and cancer risks.

Numerous studies, usually short-term and using purified or partially purified dietary fiber, have shown reductions in serum lipids, glucose, or insulin Jenkins et al.

Long-term studies have usually not confirmed these findings LSRO, ; Pasman et al. Current recommendations suggest that instead of eating dietary fiber supplements, a diet of foods high in whole fruits and vegetables may have favorable effects on cardiovascular and cancer risk factors Bruce et al.

Such diets are often lower in fat and higher in CHOs. Very-low-calorie diets VLCDs were used extensively for weight loss in the s and s, but have fallen into disfavor in recent years Atkinson, ; Bray, a; Fisler and Drenick, The VLCDs used most frequently consist of powdered formulas or limited-calorie servings of foods that contain a high-quality protein source, CHO, a small percentage of calories as fat, and the daily recommendations of vitamins and minerals Kanders and Blackburn, ; Wadden, The servings are eaten three to five times per day.

The primary goal of VLCDs is to produce relatively rapid weight loss without substantial loss in lean body mass. To achieve this goal, VLCDs usually provide 1. VLCDs are not appropriate for all overweight individuals, and they are usually limited to patients with a BMI of greater than 25 some guidelines suggest a BMI of 27 or even 30 who have medical complications associated with being overweight and have already tried more conservative treatment programs.

Additionally, because of the potential detrimental side effects of these diets e. On a short-term basis, VLCDs are relatively effective, with weight losses of approximately 15 to 30 kg over 12 to 20 weeks being reported in a number of studies Anderson et al.

However, the long-term effectiveness of these diets is somewhat limited. Approximately 40 to 50 percent of patients drop out of the program before achieving their weight-loss goals.

In addition, relatively few people who lose large amounts of weight using VLCDs are able to sustain the weight loss when they resume normal eating.

In two studies, only 30 percent of patients who reached their goal were able to maintain their weight loss for at least 18 months. Within 1 year, the majority of patients regained approximately two-thirds of the lost weight Apfelbaum et al. In a more recent study with longer followup, the average regain over the first 3 years of follow-up was 73 percent.

However, weight tended to stabilize over the fourth year. At 5 years, the dieters had maintained an average of 23 percent of their initial weight loss. At 7 years, 25 percent of the dieters were maintaining a weight loss of 10 percent of their initial body weight Anderson et al. It appears that VLCDs are more effective for long-term weight loss than hypocaloric-balanced diets.

In a meta-analysis of 29 studies, Anderson and colleagues examined the long-term weight-loss maintenance of individuals put on a VLCD diet with behavioral modification as compared with individuals put on a hypocaloric-balanced diet.

They found that VLCD participants lost significantly more weight initially and maintained significantly more weight loss than participants on the hypocaloric-balanced diet see Table Almost any kind of assistance provided to participants in a weight-management program can be characterized as support services.

These can include emotional support, dietary support, and support services for physical activity. The support services used most often are structured in a standard way.

Other services are developed to meet the specific needs of a site, program, or the individual involved. With few exceptions, almost any weight-management program is likely to be more successful if it is accompanied by support services Heshka et al.

However, not all services will be productively applicable to all patients, and not all can be made available in all settings. Furthermore, some weight-loss program participants will be reluctant to use any support services.

Psychological and emotional factors play a significant role in weight management. Counseling services are those that consider psychological issues associated with inappropriate eating and that are structured to inform the patient about the nature of these issues, their implications, and the possibilities available for their ongoing management.

This intervention is less elaborate, intense, and sustaining than psychotherapy services. For example, it should be useful to help patients understand the existence and nature of a sabotaging household or the phenomenon of stress-related eating without undertaking continuing psychotherapy.

A counselor or therapist can provide this service either in individual or group sessions. These counselors should, however, be sufficiently familiar with the issues that arise with weight-management programs, such as binge eating and purging.

Short-term, individual case management can be helpful, as can group sessions because patients can hear the perspective of other individuals with similar weight-management concerns while addressing their individual concerns Hughes et al.

Psychotherapy services, both individual and group, can also be useful. However, the costs of this type of service limits its applicability to many patients. Nevertheless, the value for individual patients can be substantial, and the option should not be dismissed simply because of cost.

Concerns about childhood abuse, emotional linkages to sustaining obesity fat-dependent personality , and the management of coexisting mental health problems are the kinds of issues that might be addressed with this type of support service.

The individual therapist can structure the format of the therapy but, as with counseling services, the therapist should be familiar with weight-management issues. Nonprofessional patient-led groups and counseling, such as those available with organized programs like Take Off Pounds Sensibly and Overeaters Anonymous, can be useful adjuncts to weight-loss efforts.

These programs have the advantages of low cost, continuing support and encouragement, and a semi-structured approach to the issues that arise among weight-management patients. Their disadvantage is that, since the counseling is nonprofessional in nature, the programs are only as good as the people who are involved.

These peer-support programs are more likely to be productive when they are used as a supplement to a program with professional therapists and counselors.

In Overeaters Anonymous, a variant of these groups is a sponsor-system program that pairs individuals who can help one another. Certain commercial programs like Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig can also be helpful. Since commercial groups have their own agenda, caution must be exercised to avoid contradictions between the advice of professional counselors and that of the supportive commercial program.

Since the counselors in commercial programs are not likely to be professionals, the quality of counseling offered by these programs varies with the training of the counselors. Many communities offer supplemental weight-management services. Educational services, particularly in nutrition, may be provided through community adult education using teaching materials from nonprofit organizations such as the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, and government agencies FDA, National Institutes of Health, and U.

Department of Agriculture. Many community hospitals have staff dietitians who are available for out-patient individual counseling Pavlou et al. However, the military's TRICARE health services contracts would need to be modified to include dietitian services from community hospitals or other community services since these contracts do not currently include medical nutrition therapy and therefore dietitian counseling.

The family unit can be a source of significant assistance to an individual in a weight-management program. For example, program dropout rates tend to be lower when a participant's spouse is involved in the program Jeffery et al.

With simple guidance and direction, the involvement of the spouse as a form of reinforcement rather than as a source of discipline and monitoring can become a resource to assist in supporting the participant.

However, individual family members or the family as a group can become an obstacle when they express reluctance to make changes in food and eating patterns within the household. Issues of family conflict become more complex when the participants are children or adolescents or when spouses are reluctant to relinquish status quo positions of control.

A variety of Internet- and web-related services are available to individuals who are trying to manage their weight Davison, ; Gray and Raab, ; Riva et al. As with any other Internet service, the quality of these sites varies substantially Miles et al.

An important role for weight-management professionals is to review such sites so they can recommend those that are the most useful. The use of e-mail counseling services by military personnel who travel frequently or who are stationed in remote locations has been tested at one facility; initial results are promising James et al.

The use of web-based modalities by qualified counselors or facilitators located at large military installations would extend the accessibility of such services to personnel located at small bases or stationed in remote locations.

Support is also required for military personnel who need to enhance their levels of physical fitness and physical activity. All branches of the services have remedial physical fitness training programs for personnel who fail their fitness test, but support is also needed for those who need to lose weight and for all personnel to aid in maintaining proper weight.

Support services should include personnel, facilities, and equipment, and should provide practical advice on how to begin and progress through physical training routines including proper use of training equipment and how to prevent musculoskeletal injuries , as well as advice on when and how to eat in conjunction with physical activity demands.

Success in the promotion of weight loss can sometimes be achieved with the use of drugs. Almost all prescription drugs in current use cause weight loss by suppressing appetite or enhancing satiety. One drug, however, promotes weight loss by inhibiting fat digestion.

To sustain weight loss, these drugs must be taken on a continuing basis; when their use is discontinued, some or all of the lost weight is typically regained. Therefore, when drugs are effective, it is expected that their use will continue indefinitely.

For maximum benefit and safety, the use of weight-loss drugs should occur only in the context of a comprehensive weight-loss program. In general, these drugs can induce a 5- to percent mean drop in body weight within 6 months of treatment initiation, but the effect can be larger or smaller depending on the individual.

As with any drug, the occurrence of side effects may exclude their use in certain occupational contexts. Recognition that weight-related diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, occur in individuals with BMI levels below 25, and that weight loss improves these conditions in these individuals, suggests that indications for weight-loss drugs need to be individualized to the specific patient.

A number of hormonal and metabolic differences distinguish obese people from lean people Leibel et al. Weight loss alters metabolism in obese individuals, limiting energy expenditure and reducing protein synthesis.

This alteration suggests that the body may attempt to maintain an elevated body weight. The facts that genetics might play a role in hormonal and metabolic differences between people and that weight loss alters metabolism imply that obesity is not a simple psychological problem or a failure of self-discipline.

Instead, it is a chronic metabolic disease similar to other chronic diseases and it involves alterations of the body's biochemistry. Like most other chronic diseases that require ongoing pharmacotherapy to prevent the recurrence of symptoms, obesity management and relapse prevention may someday be accomplished through this form of treatment.

The following sections provide a brief review of the mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety of prescription agents that have been approved for weight loss and the various over-the-counter substances that are promoted for weight loss. Energy intake may be curbed by reducing hunger or appetite or by enhancing satiety.

Summary of Potential Mechanisms of Action of Obesity Drugs. Some obesity drugs may reduce the preference for dietary fat or refined CHOs Blundell et al. For example, the drug orlistat reduces the absorption of fat, which results in energy loss in the feces; other drugs not approved for obesity treatment reduce CHO absorption Heal et al.

These drugs may produce sufficiently adverse effects, such as oily stools or increased flatus, so that patients reduce consumption of high-fat foods in favor of less energy-dense foods McNeely and Benfield, ; Sjostrom et al. Obesity drugs also may increase activity levels or stimulate metabolic rate.

Drugs such as fenfluramine or sibutramine were reported to increase energy expenditure in some studies Arch, ; Astrup et al. Fluoxetine, although not approved for obesity treatment, has been shown to increase resting metabolic rate Bross and Hoffer, Ephedrine and caffeine, which act on adenosine receptors, may increase metabolic rate, reduce body-fat storage, and increase lean mass Liu et al.

With one exception orlistat , all currently available prescription obesity drugs act on either the adrenergic or serotonergic systems in the central nervous system to regulate energy intake or expenditure Bray, b.

Table summarizes the mechanism of action of pharmacological agents used for treating obesity, which are discussed in detail below.

Prescription Pharmacological Agents for Weight-Loss Treatment and Mechanisms of Action. Phentermine, an adrenergic agent, is the most commonly used prescription drug for obesity and has one of the lowest costs of all prescription agents.

Weight loss is comparable with that of other single agents Silverstone, Diethylpropion, phendimetrazine, and benzphetamine are other adrenergic agents that stimulate central norepinephrine secretion and produce weight loss similar to that of phentermine Griffiths et al.

The categorization of phendimetrazine and benzphetamine as Drug Enforcement Agency Schedule III drugs may have limited their use, although little evidence exists to suggest that they have a higher abuse potential than does phentermine.

Diethylpropion was reported to have a higher reinforcement potential in nonhuman primates than that of the other Schedule III and IV adrenergic drugs Griffiths et al.

No currently available agents for treating obesity are exclusively serotonergic. Fluoxetine and sertraline are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors that produce weight loss Bross and Hoffer, ; Goldstein et al.

Fluoxetine produced good weight loss after 6 months, but 1-year results were not different from those of placebo treatment Goldstein et al. Sertraline also produced short-term weight loss Ricca et al. Sibutramine inhibits reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin in central nervous system neurons.

Blood pressure rose slightly in normotensive subjects, but fell in hypertensive subjects Heal et al. Decreases in fasting blood glucose, insulin, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and computerized tomography-estimated abdominal fat were greater with sibutramine than with placebo Heal et al.

The greater weight losses observed in the sibutramine group compared with the placebo group may be responsible for the greater improvements in other parameters. Common complaints with the use of centrally active adrenergic and serotonergic obesity drugs include dry mouth, fatigue, hair loss, constipation, sweating, sleep disturbances, and sexual dysfunction Atkinson et al.

Sibutramine can increase blood pressure and pulse rate in occasional patients and may cause dizziness and increased food intake Cole et al. Mazindol may cause penile discharge van Puijenbroek and Meyboom, Orlistat binds to lipase in the gastrointestinal tract and inhibits absorption of about one-third of dietary fat Hollander et al.

Average weight loss on orlistat is about 8 to 11 percent of initial body weight at 1 year James WP et al. Although weight loss may be responsible for some of the observed improvements, orlistat lowered LDL independently of its effect on weight loss.

Acarbose is an alpha glucosidase inhibitor that inhibits or delays absorption of complex CHOs Wolever et al.

This drug is approved by FDA for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, but not for weight loss. Although it produces modest weight loss in animals, it has minimal or no effect on humans. Adverse side effects of orlistat include abdominal cramping, increased flatus formation, diarrhea, oily spotting, and fecal incontinence Hollander et al.

These adverse effects may serve as a behavior modification tool to reduce the level of fat in the diet and presumably to reduce energy intake. Orlistat has been shown to produce small reductions in serum levels of fat-soluble vitamins. The manufacturer recommends that a vitamin supplement containing vitamins A, D, E, and K be prescribed for patients taking orlistat.

A variety of drugs currently on the market for other conditions, but not approved by FDA for obesity treatment, have been evaluated for their ability to induce weight loss. Metformin Lee and Morley, , cimetidine Rasmussen et al.

Additional studies are needed to support these findings. Although chronic diseases often require treatment with more than one drug, few studies have evaluated combination therapy for obesity. Private practitioners have used various combinations in an off-label fashion.

The available data suggest that combination therapy is somewhat more effective than therapy with single agents. Combinations such as phentermine and fenfluramine or ephedrine and caffeine produce weight losses of about 15 percent or more of initial body weight compared with about 10 percent or less with single drug use.

However, due to reported side-effects of cardiac valve lesions and pulmonary hypertension, fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine are no longer available. Results of tests using combinations of phentermine with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors mainly fluoxetine or sertraline have been reported in abstracts or preliminary reports Dhurandhar and Atkinson, ; Griffen and Anchors, These combinations produced weight losses somewhat less than that of the combination treatment of ephedrine-caffeine, but greater than that of treatment with single agents Dhurandhar and Atkinson, Anchors used the combination of phentermine and fluoxetine in a large series of patients and suggested that this combination is safe and effective.

Griffen and Anchors reported that the combination of phentermine-fluoxetine was not associated with the cardiac valve lesions that were reported for fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine. In , Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, which exempted dietary supplements including those promoted for weight loss from the requirement to demonstrate safety and efficacy.

As a result, the variety of over-the-counter preparations touted to promote weight loss has exploded. Dietary supplements include compounds such as herbal preparations often of unknown composition , chemicals e.

With the exception of herbal preparations of ephedrine and caffeine, none of these compounds have produced more than a minimal weight loss and most are ineffective or have been insufficiently studied to determine their efficacy.

Furthermore, while little is known about the safety of many of these compounds, there are a growing number of adverse event reports for several of them. Table summarizes the current safety and efficacy profile of a number of alternative compounds promoted for the purpose of weight loss.

Alternative Medicines, Herbs, and Supplements Used for Weight Loss. The combination of ephedrine and caffeine to treat obesity has been reported to produce weight losses of 15 percent or more of initial body weight Daly et al. Both drugs are the active ingredients in a number of herbal weight-loss preparations.

Weight loss is maximal at about 4 to 6 months on this combination, but body-fat levels may continue to decrease through 9 to 12 months, with increases in lean body mass Toubro et al. This observation suggests that the combination may be a beta-3 adrenergic agonist Liu et al.

Reports of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events following use of ephedrine and caffeine to treat obesity have reached sufficient frequency that FDA and the Federal Trade Commission have begun to investigate the safety of this combination and have issued warnings to consumers.

In addition, FDA has proposed new regulations for the labeling of products containing ephedrine, which would require warning statements for potential adverse health effects. Hormonal regulation. Eating disorders can also significantly increase the mortality rate.

Research has found that patients with anorexia, for example, have a six-fold increased risk of death compared to the general population. You should contact your doctor if your weight:.

is impacting your physical or emotional health. is dropping or gaining at an alarming rate. Am I at a healthy weight? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Weight, shape, and mortality risk in older persons: elevated waist-hip ratio, not high body mass index is associated with a greater risk of death Weight loss: 6 strategies for success Mayo Clinic. Prevalence of micronutrient deficiency in popular diet plans Persistent metabolic adaptation 6 years after The Biggest Loser competition Gallstones National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

What are eating disorders? Health consequences National Eating Disorders Association. One of the most common reasons for weight gain is consuming excessive calories. There are many foods out there that are deceptively high in calories that could be contributing significantly to your weight gain.

Full-sugar sodas, for example, can contain up to calories per serving, and just a tablespoon of ranch dressing can contain roughly 73 calories.

Sometimes weight gain really just comes down to our genes. Children of obese parents are more likely to face issues with their weight.

The hormone insulin plays an important role in glucose regulation and the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. High levels of insulin have been linked to obesity and could be a contributing factor in your weight gain. The overconsumption of added sugar in food and drink such as sugar-sweetened beverages is closely associated with weight gain and obesity.

Food products containing added sugar are generally very enjoyable, which can lead to excess consumption of them and consequent weight gain. Leptin is a hormone that plays an important role in appetite regulation. When high levels of leptin are present, appetite is usually reduced. However, in people with leptin resistance, the experience of appetite reduction from this hormone is reduced.

Leptin resistance is considered to have a significant influence on weight gain and obesity. Learn more about hormonal weight gain and what you can do to lose it. Some medications can cause weight gain. Medications that can cause weight gain include:.

Diabetes medication. Epilepsy medication. Some of the common causes of unintentional weight loss include:. Depression and anxiety can play a big role in weight loss, leaving you with a reduced appetite, low motivation to cook, often resulting in weight loss.

Your thyroid is a gland that produces thyroid hormone, which plays an important role in metabolism regulation. This condition is known as hyperthyroidism. Muscle loss is a good example of how weight loss is not always ideal. One of the common side effects of these disorders is weight loss since they often interfere with the hormones that regulate appetite and hunger, resulting in a reduced appetite.

Undertaking some unhealthy restrictive eating habits can cause you to lose weight too fast. Disordered eating refers to irregular and unsafe eating habits.

This includes anorexia and bulimia but can also include excessive calorie restriction, an obsession with food, meal skipping, and fasting. Learn more about the causes of unexplained weight loss here. Why people become overweight Harvard Health Publishing. A casual role for hyperinsulinemia in obesity Sugar Sweetened Beverages, Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease risk Leptin resistance and diet-induced obesity: central and peripheral actions of leptin Medicines and weight gain Health Navigator.

Hyperthyroidism overactive thyroid Mayo Clinic. Determinants of weight loss prior to diagnosis inflammatory bowel disease: a retrospective observational study What is disordered eating? Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. And, with so many weight loss options out there, it can be confusing to even know where to start.

When you want to lose weight, the right method will depend on the underlying cause of the weight gain. If your weight gain is due to excessive calorie intake then the solution will be to restrict calories and increase exercise. However, if it is due to medication, for example, you might be able to talk with your doctor about alternative medication options.

Some causes of weight gain can be difficult to rectify, so diet and exercise will often be the most appropriate solutions in this case. Obesity is a complicated health issue that can increase your risk of developing a range of health problems, including:.

Breathing disorders. Sleep disorders. Research shows that losing weight can significantly improve health outcomes for individuals who exceed a healthy weight range. Most importantly, weight loss can also reduce your risk of death.

Treatments for unintentional weight loss use a very similar approach to treatments for weight gain - investigating the cause of the weight loss and applying a targeted approach.

If hyperthyroidism is the cause, however, antithyroid drugs can help to keep your thyroid hormones in check and allow you to regain some weight. Treating unsafe weight loss often requires a more detailed and long-term approach.

Disordered eating can be tough to treat and often requires a multi-disciplinary approach that addresses therapy, nutrition, and medication needs.

In serious cases, hospitalization or an in-patient program may be required. Learn about the signs of disordered eating and next steps for getting a diagnosis here. Intentional weight loss and all-cause mortality: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials Eating disorder treatment: Know your options Mayo Clinic.

Like most areas of health, prevention is key to avoiding the need for intervention. Here are some healthy and safe ways that can help you keep your weight at a healthy level and avoid becoming under or overweight.

Ensure that you:. Eat at least three times a day. Drink lots of water. Eat a diet high in fiber, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Eat enough protein.

Switch to low-fat dairy products when you can. Keep the majority of your protein intake to low-fat sources e.