Search results for "healthy weight"

Your doctor will use a chart to find out if your child might be overweight. If your child is heavier than 85% of other children who are the same age and height, he or she is probably considered to be overweight.

It's time to start thinking about your resolutions for the new year. If losing weight is on your list, now might be the right time to make healthy changes to help you achieve your goals. Exercising and eating a well-balanced diet can help you shed pounds and, at the same time, reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer and stroke. Check the Web sites below for tips on how to get started

This is a tough question to answer. Even though many people talk about weight, what really matters is how much of your body weight is fat. The body mass index (BMI) is an approximate measure of body fat. It is based on your height and weight. A BMI between 19 and 25 is considered a normal amount of body fat. If someone's BMI is 25 to 29.9, that person is said to be overweight. A person is said to be obese if his or her BMI is 30 or higher. The higher your BMI, the greater your risk for diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and certain cancers

Many diets can help you lose weight. However, "going on a diet" is not the best answer to losing weight. Usually you gain the weight back after you "go off" the diet. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to change much more than just what you eat. You have to change how and when you eat, and you have to start exercising or exercise more often. Most people who lose weight and keep it off do 3 things. First, they find out why they are overweight. Second, they follow a healthy eating plan. Third, they exercise regularly.

This section of familydoctor.org offers a range of practical ideas for dealing with overweight and obesity. You'll find advice about healthy eating and physical activity for adults and children, as well as suggestions on how to set realistic, achievable personal goals. The information in this section is based on a recent publication of the American Association of Family Physicians (AAFP): "Practical Advice for Family Physicians to Help Overweight Patients." This publication was prepared by the AAFP Panel on Obesity, a group made up of experts in the fields of family medicine, nutrition, ep...