Diet Myths
Low-carb? Gluten-free? What works and what is just hype? Our nutrition experts guide you through the confusing claims.
How to Combat Your Food Cravings
Ignoring food cravings is hard, but you can learn healthy ways to cope and keep them in check.
Losing Weight the Healthy Way
Find out how to lose weight and keep it off in a healthy way, without following any special diets.
Weight Management Topics
BMI Calculator
Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. The higher the BMI, the greater the risk of some diseases.
Ask an Expert
Larry K. Fan, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
If I get liposuction to get rid of my belly fat, will I reduce the health risks associated with being "apple" shaped?
Liposuction is a great way to contour and reshape the body (including the belly) by removing unwanted fat. Unfortunately, liposuction is not a treatment for weight loss, nor does it appear to influence the risk... continue reading about If I get liposuction to get rid of my belly fat, will I reduce the health risks associated with being "apple" shaped?
Sue Hazeghazam, R.D.
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
Experts say not to skip meals because it slows metabolism down. We are also advised to exercise to burn fat. Now they say you can't just do aerobics, you need resistance training. I'm training with weights and all I'm doing is getting bigger.
You should try to do both types of exercise. Both have benefits. Aerobic exercise is helpful to improve circulation and to burn calories and, if done long enough, to also help burn fat stores. When you do resis... continue reading about Experts say not to skip meals because it slows metabolism down. We are also advised to exercise to burn fat. Now they say you can't just do aerobics, you need resistance training. I'm training with weights and all I'm doing is getting bigger.
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
Can a person be overweight and still be in good health?
Can you be overweight and still be healthy?It is important to remember that the number on the scale is not the only key to your wellness. Regular physical activity is an essential component in maintaining a hea... continue reading about Can a person be overweight and still be in good health?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I am 51 years old and weigh 256 lbs. I have several medical problems, including knee pain. I also sit all day in my job and my long commute. I want to lose weight - where do I start?
Losing weight and becoming more active are fantastic goals! If you are mostly sedentary and knee pain is an issue for you, then I would start exercising with simple walking. Research shows that just 30 minutes ... continue reading about I am 51 years old and weigh 256 lbs. I have several medical problems, including knee pain. I also sit all day in my job and my long commute. I want to lose weight - where do I start?
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I'm a very active pre-menopausal 50-year-old who eats right and works out four to six times a week. Why in the world can I not lose my belly cellulite and build more muscle? I'm ready to quit everything and just get fat and eat junk food!
Don't give up! As many women approach menopause they find themselves experiencing unexplained weight gain, especially around the waist and hip areas, despite their best efforts to watch what they eat and to inc... continue reading about I'm a very active pre-menopausal 50-year-old who eats right and works out four to six times a week. Why in the world can I not lose my belly cellulite and build more muscle? I'm ready to quit everything and just get fat and eat junk food!
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Can you recommend a weight loss program for someone who is 100 lbs overweight and has been unsuccessful many times?
Each individual is different and must consult his/her own physician, particularly in this high-risk weight category. In general, for weight loss of 100 pounds or more, two of the more reliable, medically superv... continue reading about Can you recommend a weight loss program for someone who is 100 lbs overweight and has been unsuccessful many times?
Mark Saleh, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I'm a woman (45) who gets frequent migraines. I'm also about 40 pounds overweight. I read somewhere that being overweight might actually increase the number of migraines that I get. Is this true, and would losing weight help?
Research has shown a link between being overweight and migraines - headache frequency and severity are increased. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the link, including biological, behaviora... continue reading about I'm a woman (45) who gets frequent migraines. I'm also about 40 pounds overweight. I read somewhere that being overweight might actually increase the number of migraines that I get. Is this true, and would losing weight help?
Patricia Hockett, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Why do men put weight on at their stomachs? My husband tries to lose weight, but his belly is very slow to go down. He doesn't drink alcohol. Do you have any suggestions on how he can lose this belly fat?
Weight gain and especially belly fat has been the topic of much discussion for years. This is evidenced by the plethora of websites and articles addressing it and claiming to have the solution to combat it. Whi... continue reading about Why do men put weight on at their stomachs? My husband tries to lose weight, but his belly is very slow to go down. He doesn't drink alcohol. Do you have any suggestions on how he can lose this belly fat?
Karen Handy, M.P.H.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I exercise hard in the early evening and eat dinner after that. Each night at around 9:30, I'm ravenous. What is a good snack that will actually satiate the hunger without calorically unraveling the hard work of my work out?
Snacks with high fiber and water content, that also include some protein and just a bit of heart-healthy fat, will help you feel the most full and satisfied. That same fiber and water content will also keep you... continue reading about I exercise hard in the early evening and eat dinner after that. Each night at around 9:30, I'm ravenous. What is a good snack that will actually satiate the hunger without calorically unraveling the hard work of my work out?
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