For years doctors have been aware that many risks are associated with being overweight.

Obesity is not just a cosmetic problem. It's a health hazard. Someone who is 40% overweight is twice as likely to die prematurely as is an average-weight person. This is because obesity has been linked to several serious medical conditions, including:

• High blood pressure
  
  
• Stroke
  
  
• Increased cholesterol levels
  
  
• Heart disease
  
  
• Diabetes
  
  
• Cancer
  
  
• Gallbladder disease and gallstones
  
  
• Osteoarthritis
  
  
• Gout
  
  
• Breathing problems, such as sleep apnea (when a person stops breathing for a short time during sleep) and asthma

When you eat more food than your body needs for energy, the leftovers are stored as body fat. Your weight management plan should emphasize nutritious, well-balanced meals and include a variety physical activities that you enjoy. Food gives you the energy your body needs to function.

Losing weight may not be effortless, but it doesn't have to be complicated. To achieve long-term results, it's best to avoid quick-fix schemes and complex regimens. Focus instead on making modest changes to your life's daily routine. A balanced, healthy diet with proper nutritional supplements and sensible, regular exercise are the keys to maintaining your ideal weight.