Introduction
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 everywherethrough 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.
Talking to your health care provider about your weight is an important first step. Doctors do not always address issues such as healthy eating, physical activity, and weight control during general office visits. It is important for you to bring up these issues to get the help you need. Even if you feel uneasy talking about your weight with your doctor, remember that he or she is there to help you improve your health.
Prepare for the visit:
Talk to your doctor about safe and effective ways to control your weight. (See below for sample questions.)
He or she can review any medical problems that you have and any drugs that you take to help you set goals for controlling your weight. Make sure you understand what your doctor is saying. Ask questions if you do not understand something.
You may want to ask your doctor to recommend a weight-loss program or specialist. If you do start a weight-loss program, discuss your choice of program with your doctor, especially if you have any health problems.
About your weight
About ways to lose weight
Successful, long-term weight control must focus on your overall health, not just on what you eat. Changing your lifestyle is not easy, but adopting healthy habits may help you manage your weight in the long run.
Effective weight-loss programs include ways to keep the weight off for good. These programs promote healthy behaviors that help you lose weight and that you can stick with every day.
Safe and effective weight-loss programs should include
Some weight-loss programs may use very low-calorie diets (up to 800 calories per day) to promote rapid weight loss among people who have a lot of excess weight. This type of diet requires close medical supervision through frequent office visits and medical tests. For more guidance on this type of diet, read the WIN fact sheet Very Low-calorie Diets.
Many weight-loss programs are now being offered onlineeither fully or partly. Not much is known about how well these programs work. However, experts suggest that online weight-loss programs should provide the following:
Whether the program is online or in person, you should get as much background as you can before deciding to join.
Professionals working for weight-loss programs should be able to answer questions about the program's features, safety, costs, and results. The following are sample questions you may want to ask.
In choosing a weight-loss program, watch out for these false claims:
Other warning signs include
For more background on false claims used by some weight-loss programs and products, see the items from the Federal Trade Commission listed in the For More Information section.
For more tips on how to choose a safe and effective weight-loss program, see the Federal Trade Commission items listed in the Resources section.
If a weight-loss program is not a good option for you, ask your health care provider about other types of treatment. Prescription drugs, combined with lifestyle changes, may help some people lose weight. For some people who have obesity, bariatric surgery on the stomach and/or intestines may be an option. See the Resources section for more information on bariatric surgery.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) conducts and supports a broad range of basic and clinical obesity research. More information about obesity research is available at http://www.obesityresearch.nih.gov
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct and support research into many diseases and conditions.
Clinical trials are part of clinical research and at the heart of all medical advances. Clinical trials look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease. Researchers also use clinical trials to look at other aspects of care, such as improving the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses. Find out if clinical trials are right for you.
Clinical trials that are currently open and are recruiting can be viewed at http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov.
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Choosing a Safe & Successful Weight-loss Program | NIDDK
