How to Lose Weight - Essay Example

People may have diverse reasons for wanting to unleash some "excess baggage" in their body parts. Some engage in weight loss regimens for health and disease prevention, while others try to level up a self-image or for aesthetic purposes. So many advertisements have offered audiences how to attain weight loss, but only very few bring about positive outcomes. To effectively reach this goal, one must understand the mechanism involved in balancing energy intake and energy expenditures in daily activities.

In 1997, World Health Organization (WHO) convene the International Obesity Task Force and recommended a standard categorization of adults overweight as well as obese according to the following BMI calculations: 25.0 to 29.9 kilogram per m2 BMI is classified as overweight; 30.0 kg per m2 BMI or higher is defined as obese (Lyznicki, Donald, Riggs and Davis, 2001, p 2185; par 3). Excess body fat leads from disproportioned energy intake (p 2185; par 4) as well as energy expenditure (total energy expenditure involves energy burnt up at rest, so with physical activity and the metabolism).

The BMI is a reliable measurement for obesity and overweight and is described as a person's weight divided by the square of the height of a person in kilograms or pounds. The combined intervention of a low-calorie diet, behavior therapy, and increased physical activity is considered the most effective means for weight loss. This regimen must be maintained for no less than six months. Alteration of the lifestyle behaviors and sustaining them to produce added weight loss, sustaining the desired weight, and, eventually, avoiding additional weight gain should be the pattern of the intervention.

Weight loss drugs like sibutramine (Meridia) and orlistat (Xenical), can be used only as part of a wide-ranging treatment program together with diet, physical activity, and behavior therapy. Note that pharmacotherapy is limited to apply in patients who obtain a BMI of 30 or higher kg per m2 and patients whose BMI is 27 or higher kg per m2 with associated obesity-related risk factors or illnesses such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and coronary heart disease (p 2192; par 1-3).