Weight Management

Did you know that, according to the National College Health Assessment (2006), 38% of OSU college students are overweight (30%) or obese (8%)?  And more than half (55%) are trying to lose weight, the most frequent method being from exercise (58%).  If you are one of those students trying to lose weight, consider that there are many ways to lose weight, but some ways are healthier than others. 

Fad Diets

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), Americans spend more than $40 billion dollars a year on dieting and diet-related products.  Unfortunately, 95% of all dieters regain their lost weight and more within 1-5 years. 

While many people attempt to lose weight, we often go about it in unhealthy ways and make it more complicated than it needs to be.  Common pitfalls of fad diets are they:

  • Exclude one or more foods or food groups
  • Dictate how much, how often, and when you eat
  • Are often low in calories making it difficult to get the nutrients your body needs
  • Cost money and take a lot of time
  • Can become boring if food options are limited
  • Identify foods as "good" or "bad"
  • Claim to produce rapid weight loss which is undesirable
  • Contradict recommendations of reputable health organizations

When considering a particular diet, consider whether it is healthy and ask yourself "Am I willing to follow this diet for life?"  If the answer is no, consider the fact that the diet will be temporary and any results will be too. 

National Weight Control Registry

The National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) tracks over 5000 individuals who have lost significant amounts of weight and kept it off for one or more years. 

About NWCR members:

  • Have lost an average of 66 pounds and kept it off for 1 ½ years
  • Weight losses have ranged from 30-300 pounds
  • Duration of successful weight loss has ranged from 1-66 years
  • Some lost weight rapidly, others lost weight slowly over time
  • 45% lost weight on their own, 55% lost weight with help

To lose weight:

  • 98% of members modified their food intake
  • 94% of members increased their physical activity, with the most frequently reported form of activity being walking.

To keep weight off:

  • 78% of members eat breakfast everyday
  • 75% of members weigh themselves at least once a week
  • 62% of members watch less than 10 hours of TV a week
  • 90% of members exercise, on average, 1 hour per day

This program was designed to provide you with tips, tools and resources to help you live healthy lifestyle behaviors that can result in a desired weight.

To view the next section, go to Body Assessment.