More than a third of all Americans are obese, according to the Weight-Control Information Network, or WIN. Obesity places a person at risk for a number of health issues including heart disease, diabetes and sleep apnea. Even losing as little as 5 to 10 percent of body weight can significantly improve a person's health. Good diets for obese people should be balanced and include a variety of foods from all of the food groups. Consult with a physician before starting a weight loss program.
Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers has been helping people of all sizes lose weight for more than 45 years. Part of its success can be attributed to its simple diet guidelines and its peer support system. Weight Watchers uses a point system to help people control their calorie intake. A person is allowed to eat a certain number of food points a day based on current weight. Foods are assigned points based on calorie, fat and fiber content. Low-calorie, high fiber foods have fewer points than high-calorie, high fat foods, encouraging dieters to consume more of the healthy low-calorie foods to feel satisfied. In addition to teaching people how to control intake, Weight Watchers also offers peer support through weekly meetings and its online weight loss program.
Calories Count
Calories Count is a free online weight-management website offered by the Calorie Control Council, a non-profit agency designed to educate the public about low-calorie foods and eating. The website features a tool to determine the number of calories a person needs to safely lose 1 to 2 lbs. a week. Once calorie needs are known, the dieter can use the online food diary and food calorie calculator to help keep track of her intake. The website also offers a number of weekly calorie controlled meal plans with grocery lists and recipes for the dieter that needs help figuring out what to eat. In addition to information about diet, Calories Count also offers tips on how to be more active.
The Mediterranean Diet
The Harvard School of Public Health says people who follow the Mediterranean style diet have more success with weight loss than those that follow a low-fat diet. The Mediterranean diet is based on the eating and cooking practices of the people living along the Mediterranean Sea. The moderate fat diet emphasizes a high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes and olive oil, and limits the intake of red meat and animal fats. It also encourages people to consume more fish and poultry, at least twice a week. In addition to helping with weight loss, the Mediterranean diet is also a heart healthy diet and has been shown to reduce people's risk for cardiovascular disease.
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