The weight-loss goal of most obese dieters is to achieve an ideal weight often defined by celebrities and models in fashion magazines. But research over the last decade indicates that a 5- to 10-percent reduction in body weight is sufficient to significantly improve medical conditions associated with obesity, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and elevated cholesterol levels. These health improvements occur even though patients may still be overweight.
These new weight-loss goals may be difficult for obese people to accept. Obese people often seek weight-loss goals that may be biologically impossible to achieve or, if achieved, cannot be maintained. One study of overweight women found that the average weight goal was a 30 percent reduction in body weight. Yet no obesity treatment produces long-term, maintainable weight losses significant enough for patients to reach this goal. Physicians and commercial weight-loss programs need to help obese people feel successful when more modest reductions in weight and significant improvements in health are achieved, many health experts believe.
These new weight-loss goals may be difficult for obese people to accept. Obese people often seek weight-loss goals that may be biologically impossible to achieve or, if achieved, cannot be maintained. One study of overweight women found that the average weight goal was a 30 percent reduction in body weight. Yet no obesity treatment produces long-term, maintainable weight losses significant enough for patients to reach this goal. Physicians and commercial weight-loss programs need to help obese people feel successful when more modest reductions in weight and significant improvements in health are achieved, many health experts believe.
