If the repeated ups and downs of dieting describe your weight problem, shift your approach to management. You can break the cycle. Change what you eat, the way you eat, your activity level and your lifestyle. For athletic performance, your body composition may be more important than your weight, unless you compete in a weight category. That's true even if you're not an athlete.
Health risks go up as the proportion of body fat increases.
For non-athletes, body fat levels of 15 to 18 for men, and 20 to 25 percent for women are considered acceptable. Body fat levels below 4 percent for men and 10 percent for women suggest an eating disorder. According to the Institute of Medicine, obesity is defined as more than 25 percent body far for men and more than 30 percent for women. The difference depends on the sport and position within a specific sport. If you want to know your body composition, check with a trained health professional.