WEIGHT CONTROL OVERVIEW
By Vern S. Cherewatenko, MD, MEd and Tom Hart

About 97 million adults in the United States are overweight or obese, substantially increasing the risk of disabling and life-threatening diseases. Overweight and obesity are the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States, resulting in about 300,000 deaths per year. The number of overweight and obese men and women has increased to 54.9 percent of adults age 20 years or older. Obesity is also a serious health problem for children, with one out of five teenagers considered significantly overweight. Since 1980 there has been a 42% increase in childhood obesity rates.

Medical researchers estimate that being overweight or obese is attributable to 88 to 97 percent of all cases of Type II diabetes, 57 to 70 percent of coronary heart disease cases, 11 percent of breast cancers, 10 percent of colon cancers, about a third of all cases of hypertension, 70 percent of gallstone cases, as well as dyslipidemia, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and respiratory problems, and prostate cancer.

In 1998, 27 percent of U.S. adults (54 million people) were dieting, compared to 37 percent in 1986. People seem to understand now that it takes permanent lifestyle changes achieve weight loss and keep it off. "Contemporary weight management," recommended by specialists in the field of obesity, are proven to be more effective than traditional "diets" involving deprivation and short-term solutions that often fail. Definitions of obesity and excess weight are sometimes confusing, therefore we define overweight as a body mass index of 25 to 29.9 kg/m2 and obesity as a BMI of >= 30 kg/m2.

Please refer to the following table for your BMI.

BODY MASS INDEX TABLE
To find your Body Mass Index follow these steps:

1. Locate your height in the left column.
2. Read across on this line to your approximate weight.
3. Your BMI is indicated in the red box at the top of the column.

References:

Calorie Control Council National Surveys

Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhlbi/cardio/obes/prof/guidelns/ob_home.htm

WHERE TO FIND HELP:

Choosing a safe and successful weight-control program.
This article by the NIDDK - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the NIH, highlights recommendations for evaluating weight management programs.

Helping your overweight child.
www.niddk.nih/gov/health/nutrit/pubs/helpchld.htm

The Weight-control Information Network (WIN)
A service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. WIN assembles and disseminates to the public and health professionals 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.

1 WIN Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3665
Ph. – 301-984-7378 or 800-WIN-8098 for automated messages
Fax – 301-984-7196
e-mail: win@info.niddk.nih.gov
www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/win.htm

Winning Weighs
A concise, easy-to-read guide to effective weight control. Single copies of this brochure can be obtained by sending 50 cents and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Winning Weighs, Calorie Control Council, Suite 500-G, 5775 Peachtree-Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30342. Bulk quantities are available at a discount. www.caloriecontrol.org/winweigh.html

Calorie Control Council
Online calorie calculator, weight-control news, calorie cutting information, recipes, reduced-fat foods, physical fitness, and other useful information. www.caloriecontrol.org

Shape Up America!
Provides the latest information about safe weight management and physical fitness, including their cyberkitchen for meal planning.

6707 Democracy Blvd.
Suite 306
Bethesda, Maryland 20817
e-mail: suainfo@shaprup.org
www.shapeup.org/sua/index.html

University-Based Weight Control Programs
Provides a list of programs offered by universities
www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/unversit/universi.htm

InControl® A Video Weight Loss and Maintenance Program
Focuses on setting a realistic plan for eating a well-balanced diet and becoming involved in an exercise program for safe, long-lasting weight loss. The program consists of four components: video segments, program diary, viewer's guide and two audio cassettes. A Group Leader's Guide for non-professionals includes detailed lesson plans for conducting a group weight loss program at worksites and healthcare sites.

To purchase InControl® A Video Weight Loss and Maintenance Program (Pattison W31) and InControl® A Video Weight Loss and Maintenance Program Participant Set (Pattison W32), contact Pattison Graphics (The AHA has discontinued distribution).

Pattison Graphics 4520 Elston Avenue Chicago, IL 60630 (773) 777-4520

(InControl® is the registered trademark name for programs that promote smoking cessation and weight loss and maintenance. Program materials hold copyrights by the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association and Health Products Marketing Inc.)