Americans are consuming about 300 more calories per day than 20 years ago. More of us are eating out more often. Portion sizes are larger. Low fat products are everywhere, and many people believe that low fat is healthy and therefore can be consumed freely without regard to quantity. Many Americans ignore calories and fail to get enough exercise. Another possible cause for the increase in obesity is Americans' obsession with fat in the diet and attempting to eliminate or reduce it by overeating low fat foods. However, many low-fat foods are actually higher in calories than regular fat versions. The NHLBI urges consumers to read food labels and compare products, because although fat matters, calories count (see infograph). Physical activity counts too. Nearly a third of Americans don't get enough physical activity. Instead we spend too much time sitting at our computers, driving the car, watching television, and taking the elevator instead of the stairs. The NHLBI guidelines recommend that all Americans get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking or biking on most, if not all, days of the week. By sticking with the basics, weight loss and maintenance can be achieved by adding a few simple changes to your lifestyle. "There is no quick fix. Losing weight and keeping it off is not easy for many people," adds Donato. "The common sense approach — to eat less and move more — is the most effective." – a report from The NIH Word on Health, January, 1999 * The new recommendations, Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults, encourage physicians and other health care practitioners to use the body mass index (BMI) when assessing patients. BMI is a measure that relates weight to height and correlates with body fat. People with a BMI of 25.5 to 29.9 are considered overweight and those with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese. Treatment options vary depending on a person's BMI level, their waist circumference, and other risk factors.

To get information on what you can do to help control your weight, the NHLBI has consumer information on how to cut back on calories when shopping and eating out (see charts). Other consumer-related information includes recipe cards, a low-calorie shopping list, and tips on how to choose and prepare foods lower in calories and fat, and sources of calcium. This information can be obtained by contacting: NHLBI Education Programs Information Center/NIH Word P.O. Box 30105 Bethesda, MD 20824-0105 Phone : 301-251-1222 Fax: 301-251-1223 Additional healthy eating and physical activity tips can be obtained from the NHLBI and the NIDDK on their respective web sites at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov and http://www.niddk.nih.gov.

A Word to the Wise Consult your physician or health care provider before starting a weight loss program. Increase physical activity gradually, working up to 30 minutes of moderate physical activity. Physical activity is important for weight maintenance, too. Reducing just fat in the diet without reducing calories will not produce weight loss. Cutting back on fat can help reduce calories and is good for the heart. When you shop for groceries, pay special attention to serving size and total calories, in addition to fat.

For additional information, reporters and editors can contact: Mary Sullivan Office of Communications Phone: 301-496-1766 Fax: 301-402-0395 E-mail: ms41x@nih.gov

To arrange an interview, please contact the NHLBI Office of Communications at: 301-496-4236

Word on Health

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