Your Best Health: Adult Weight Management

Obesity is complex

Obesity is a complex chronic condition. Carrying extra body fat could put you at higher risk for health problems.

To manage obesity, a long-term treatment approach is best. One that focuses on you as a whole person. It’s about improving health and well-being, not just reducing the numbers on a scale.

Something to think about ...

Go to your reflection journal and check off all the statements you relate to:

I seem to gain a little more weight year after year.
It’s complicated. One of my parents struggled with weight their whole life, so I know it’s in my genes.
I work at a desk all day and I’m very stressed by the end of the day, so I rarely get the exercise I need.
My weight has been getting away on me and now my heart isn’t happy.
I tried one of those quick fix diet plans but ended up gaining back all the weight. I need a long-term plan.
Trying to deal with this on my own wasn’t working. My health team has really helped over the years.
I really try to make healthy decisions every day. I take the stairs on my coffee breaks.

Just know how complex managing your weight can be may cause you to feel discouraged. Keep reading and learning and you’ll find that even very small changes can make a big difference in your journey to being healthier.

What is obesity?

There are many ways to define obesity. Definitions are often based on 1 or more of the following:

research
culture and social standards
weight only, without talking about what causes it or how it affects you
a BMI of 30 and above*

* Having a BMI over 30 or a BMI in the overweight category (BMI of 25 to 29.9) doesn’t mean you automatically need to lose weight. If you carry most of your weight around your belly, or you notice your weight is affecting your quality of life, you may benefit from some of the ideas in this module.

Weight can affect all areas of your life and affects everyone differently.

For some people, obesity can be a problem when weight affects:

the quality of your life
the way your body functions
your enjoyment with family and friends
your ability to do your job

Something to think about ...

How do you feel your weight is affecting your life? Go to your reflection journal and check the statements that you relate to.

Current as of: March 16, 2022

Author: Primary Health Care – Integration and Innovation, Alberta Health Services

This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.

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