Many adults achieve an energy balance in which caloric intake matches energy expenditure. Body fat does not change very much under these conditions.  Excessive body fat could be related to eating more calories or to small energy expenditure, or both.  Energy expenditure refers to the calories spent for body functions, physical activity, digestion, and food metabolism. Both heredity and the environment play a part in obesity and, therefore, there is no single approach to treatment.  Overeating, differences in metabolism, AGING, genetic predisposition, and excessive food consumption during early childhood have been implicated. Overeating Clearly the prolonged consumption of excessive calories, when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure, leads to obesity.  Energy expenditure refers to the calories spent for body functions, physical activity, digestion, and food metabolism. Body fat can be reduced only when energy expenditure exceeds caloric intake....

Appetite suppressants are a variety of drugs and plant products are used to curb appetite.  In the past PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE (PPA) was used as an ingredient in many over-the-counter weight loss products, but following adverse reports of links to hemorrhagic stroke with these products, Yale University scientists discovered that PPA does increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke in women (and possibly men).  Consequently, the FDA recommended that consumers not use any products that contain PPA and ruled that PPA is not considered safe for nonprescription use.  As a result the FDA is in the process of removing PPA from all drug products and has requested that all drug companies discontinue marketing products containing PPA.  In addition, the FDA has issued a public health advisory concerning PPA  In response to the request made by the FDA in November 2000, many companies have voluntarily reformulated and are continuing to reformulate their products to exc...

Although no one is without health risk—even the fittest person can have a heart attack, diabetes, or cancer—health and well-being are apt to be in less jeopardy if BMI, body shape, and family health history do not indicate problems.  However, if your BMI is 25 or more, if your fat is primarily located in your upper body, and if you have a personal or family history of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea, losing weight can greatly improve your health. Keep in mind that BMI and waist circumference are just starting points. Other factors also are important.  When in doubt, seek a medical evaluation by your physician. A thorough history, examination, and blood studies can clarify whether your weight is having adverse effects on your health. The appropriate plan of action then can be tailored to meet your individual needs. Losing body fat and keeping it off are not easy. Losing weight and then maintaining a healthful weight require collaboration wi...

Generally, programs designed to assist individuals to lose weight or to maintain a desired body weight. Americans who diet to lose weight frequently participate in weight management programs for many reasons. Statistics show that meeting external expectations motivates most dieters. Current American images of attractiveness and success place a premium on being slender, especially for women. A second motivation to manage weight is an awareness of the ramifications of being excessively overweight. obesity, defined as having a body mass index of 25 or higher, carries increased risks for diabetes, hypertension, and CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE. Certain people tend to gain excess fat on their upper body, and upper body fat increases the waist to hip ratio, which correlates with a greater risk of heart disease. Strategies for Weight Loss Short-term weight loss readily can be attained by extreme measures: a drastic reduction in caloric intake (semi-starvation); crash dieting; unbalanced diet...