Prevention

The steps to preventing obesity are a simple and old formula:

• Learn what healthy food choices are and understand portion sizes.
• Read food labels.
• Get plenty of exercise: at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
• Don't try fad diets. They can end up adding weight to your body in the long run and some can raise your blood pressure or cholesterol. Losing weight and keeping yourself trim is a lifestyle change that doesn't include magic solutions. A recipe of eating fewer calories than what you burn (but not too few), eating healthy foods and reducing fat intake is the only magic bullet you need.
• Deal with emotions that may be causing you to overeat. Recognize your feelings for what they are. Exercise can be a tremendous stress reliever. However, if you think you may be depressed or burying your feelings in ice cream, get professional help. You could need behavior modification therapy or psychotherapy.
• Ditch over-the-counter diet pills. They don't work. Some, such as the recently banned ephedra, can even be dangerous.

Love and respect your body and the way it moves. Help yourself feel good by making a commitment to exercise and healthy living.

More on Obesity

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.