Obesity

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Obesity: Home Care & Treatment

See intentional weight loss.

To help prevent an increase in weight:

• Avoid excess alcohol consumption.
• Stress
• Depression
• Boredom and frustration
• Poor eating habits
• Avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Perform aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week and try to increase physical activity in general by walking rather than driving, and climbing stairs rather than using an elevator or escalator.
• Reduce consumption of food that is high in fat and sugar.

For additional help in losing weight:

• Join a support group (see eating disorders - support group). Many people find it easier to follow a reduction diet and exercise program if they join a group of people with similar problems.
• Avoid over-the-counter drugs that claim to aid in weight loss -- most are ineffective, and some can be dangerous.
  

Also, be sure to set realistic goals for weight reduction. A loss of 1 to 2.5 pounds a week may seem slow, but losing weight too fast often does not work. Weight lost quickly is usually regained quickly.