Weight Control

Keeping a healthy weight is crucial. If you are underweight, overweight, or obese, you may have a higher risk of certain health problems.

About two thirds of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese. Achieving a healthy weight can help you control your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. It might also help you prevent weight-related diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and some cancers.

Eating too much or not being physically active enough will make you overweight. To maintain your weight, the calories you eat must equal the energy you burn. To lose weight, you must use more calories than you eat. A weight-control strategy might include

• Choosing low-fat, low-calorie foods
• Eating smaller portions
• Drinking water instead of sugary drinks
• Being physically active

Eating extra calories within a well-balanced diet can help to add weight.

Why is weight control important?

If you are struggling with your weight, you are not alone. In the United States, more than 70 percent of adults are overweight or have obesity. Having this extra weight raises your risk for many health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and certain cancers.

Reaching and staying at a healthy weight can be challenging. But a having a healthy lifestyle, including healthy eating patterns and regular physical activity, can help you lose weight. It can also lower your chance of developing weight-related health conditions.

What factors affect weight and health?

You gain weight when you take in more calories (through food and drinks) than you use up from physical activity and daily living. But there are many different factors that can affect weight gain, such as:

• The world around you. Your home, community, and workplace all may affect how you make daily lifestyle choices. For example:
  • It is often easier to find food and beverages high in calories, sugar, and fat. For instance, vending machines, cafeterias, and special events may not offer healthy, lower calorie options.
  • Less healthy foods may be cheaper than healthier foods.
  • Many people are getting less physical activity because they are spending more time using smartphones and other devices.
• Families. Overweight and obesity tend to run in families. Overweight and obesity tend to run in families. This suggests that genes may play a role in weight gain. Families may also share eating and lifestyle habits. For example, some families may often have foods and drinks that are high in calories, sugar, and fat. And some families may tend to be less active and spend more time doing things like sitting and watching TV or using computers.
• Not enough sleep. People who don’t get enough sleep may eat more calories and snack more.
• Emotions. Some people eat when they feel bored, sad, or stressed, even if they are not hungry.
• Medicines and health conditions. Taking certain medicines, such as steroids and certain antidepressants, can lead to weight gain. Some chronic health problems can also cause you to gain weight. A few examples are Cushing’s syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

How can I get to and stay at a healthy weight?

Getting to and staying at a healthy weight involves finding a balance of food and activity. To lose weight, you need to take in fewer calories than you use up. Some ways to do this are:

• Eating more nutrient-rich foods, such as foods with lots of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
• Eating and drinking less of the foods and beverages that have lots of calories, salt, sugar, and fat.
• Limiting alcohol.
• Finding healthier ways to cook, such as using healthier oils to cook with and baking or grilling instead of frying foods.
• Getting more physical activity. The general recommendation is for adults to get 150 minutes of physical activity each week, including:
  • Aerobic activity, which is also called cardio. It uses your large muscle groups (chest, legs, and back) to speed up your heart rate and breathing.
  • Muscle-strengthening activity, which is also called strength training. It works your muscles by making you push or pull against something.

You may decide to do these lifestyle changes on your own, or you may decide to try a weight-loss diet or program. Before you start, it’s important to check with your health care provider first. Your provider can tell you what a healthy weight is for you, help you set goals, and give you tips on how to lose weight.

If making lifestyle changes or doing a weight-loss program are not enough to help you lose weight, your provider may prescribe medicines. The prescription medicines to treat overweight and obesity work in different ways. Some may help you feel less hungry or full sooner. Others may make it harder for your body to absorb fat from the foods you eat.

Another treatment is weight loss surgery. Your provider may recommend the surgery if you have severe obesity or serious obesity-related health problems and you have not been able to lose enough weight.

Weight Loss Control Pills

The table below lists prescription drugs approved by the FDA for chronic weight management.  The FDA has approved six of these drugs—orlistat (Xenical, Alli), phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), liraglutide (Saxenda), semaglutide (Wegovy), and tirzepatide (Zepbound)—for long-term use. Four of these drugs are approved for adults and children ages 12 and older. Another approved drug, setmelanotide (IMCIVREE), is limited to people who have been diagnosed with one of four specific rare genetic disorders, which must be confirmed by genetic testing. You can keep taking these medications as long as you are benefiting from treatment and not experiencing serious side effects.

Some weight management medications that curb appetite, such as phentermine, are approved by the FDA only for use for a few weeks. Although some health care professionals prescribe them for longer periods, not many research studies have looked at how safe and effective they are for long-term use.

These medications have side effects, some of which could be severe. Before taking any medication to treat obesity, talk with your health care professional about the possible risks and benefits.

• Ask your health care professional if you have medical conditions that could increase your risk of developing health problems when taking weight-loss medications.
• Weight-loss medications may have harmful interactions with other medications you are taking. Discuss any prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, or herbal products you take. Do not combine weight-loss medications with other products intended for weight loss, unless prescribed by a health care professional.
• People taking certain weight-loss medications have reported having suicidal thoughts or actions, and the FDA External link continues to look into whether this is caused by the medication.
• If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should not take weight-loss medications, as they may harm the fetus. Weight-loss medications are not recommended if you are breastfeeding.
• Before taking a weight-loss medication, tell your doctor about any allergies or sensitivities you may have.

The table below includes limited information about weight-loss medications. Side effects and other reactions to weight management medications are possible.10 For more information, visit the FDA drug database, DRUGS@FDA External link.

Prescription medications approved for long-term use to treat overweight and obesity