PSYCHOSOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF WEIGHT-REDUCTION - HOW MUCH WEIGHT-LOSS IS ENOUGH

We reviewed the psychosocial consequences of weight reduction and conc luded that weight loss is usually associated with improvements in mood in significantly obese individuals (greater than or equal to 20% over weight) who are treated by diet and lifestyle modification. Less is kn own about the psychologic effects of weight loss in mildly overweight individuals who reduce their weight on their own but the limited data suggest similarly positive effects. We recommend that significantly ob ese individuals seek a 10% reduction in body weight, a loss that is li kely to be associated with improvements in psychologic as well as phys ical health. A loss of this magnitude is typically produced by 16-20 w k of treatment by diet and behavior modification. Persons who are mild ly overweight (particularly those with health complications) are encou raged to reduce their weight by increasing their physical activity. Ex ercise is associated with modest but long-term weight losses and with improvements in mood and physical health. The recommendation that over weight Americans seek a healthier weight should be combined with effor ts to promote healthier attitudes toward weight and shape in normal-we ight women and girls.