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Test Your Weight Loss Knowledge
URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/quiz/000348.htm

Test Your Weight Loss Knowledge

This is a good way for adults to decide whether they need to lose weight.

The correct answer is to calculate their BMI. BMI estimates how much you should weigh based on your height. But not everyone should use BMI to decide whether to lose weight. Bodybuilders, the elderly, and parents concerned about their child's weight should talk with their doctor first.

Waist measurement is another way to see if you should lose weight.

The correct answer is true. People with extra weight around their stomach area have a higher risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Women with a waist size over 35 inches (90 cm) and men over 40 inches (100 cm) should talk with their doctor about losing weight.

Being at an unhealthy weight can lead to serious health problems, including:

The correct answer is all of the above. Losing weight can be hard, but the benefits are worth it. You do not need to lose it all. Set goals that you are able to achieve. For a person who weighs 200 pounds (90 kg), losing 10 - 20 pounds (4.5 - 9 kg) brings down their risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems.

To lose weight safely, get plenty of exercise and eat the right amount of healthy food.

The correct answer is true. Work with your health care provider to set weight loss goals that you will be able to achieve. Learn healthy ways of eating, and gradually make them part of your daily routine. Add 2.5 hours of exercise to your weekly schedule. You’re more likely to keep weight off if you lose extra pounds slowly and steadily.

Keeping a food journal is a good way to become aware of:

The correct answer is your eating habits. Write down what and how much you ate, what time you ate it, what else you were doing, and how you were feeling. Review your journal at the end of the week. You can see what tripped you up and decide which habits you want to change. Remember, small steps lead to more long-term changes.

Which of the following is NOT part of a healthy eating plan?

The correct answer is foods high in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars. Learn to read food labels so you can spot -- and avoid -- these ingredients. Stick with fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and lean proteins. Limit processed foods.

Which of the following can help you control your food portions?

The correct answers are A and C. When you eat from the bag, you may be tempted to overeat. Put one serving in a small bag or bowl or buy single-serving snack foods. Eat from a salad plate instead of a dinner plate. Keep serving dishes on the kitchen counter rather than on the dinner table so you’ll have to get up for seconds.

To lose weight, you need to eat fewer calories than:

The correct answer is all of the above. You should eat fewer calories than what you burn during daily activities, sleep, and exercise. If you haven’t been exercising, adding activity to your day can help you lose weight if you also cut back the calories you eat. Taking a brisk 10-minute walk twice a week is a good start.

How much exercise should you get?

The correct answer is 2.5 hours a week. Start slow and build up how much you exercise per week. Include strength training in your routine. That counts toward your weekly total. As you become more fit, challenge yourself by boosting the time or intensity of your exercise.

This is a simple way to get more physical activity:

The correct answer is all of the above. Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference over time. Find creative ways to build more activity into your regular routine. Replace some of your screen time with activities that get your body moving -- using an exercise ball, dancing, or doing yoga.

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