Overeating is clearly a prominent contributor to obesity. Feeding behaviour occurs in response to hunger and to appetite inducedby the presence of food. Satiety and the resulting cessation of eating occur in response to certain hormones, nervous impulses, and absorbed nutrients signalling the brain. To loose weight, one must decrease caloric intake, increase caloric expenditure, or do both. Thus, the chief approaches to weight reduction involve behaviour change related to diet and exercise.
Weight loss reduces health risks in the obese.
Because obesity is a condition requiring continuous attention, any behaviour changes required to maintain weight loss must be life long. With so many complex mechanisms causing a person to eat more than is needed, it is acceptably difficult to follow a strict recommended weight-loss program. Weight loss to lower elevated blood pressure in overweight and obese persons with high blood pressure. Weight loss to lower elevated blood glucose levels in overweight and obese persons with type 2 diabetes. Use the BMI to assess overweight and obesity.