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Winning the battle of the bulge

	Are you among the 60 million Americans who are obese? Let ConsumerReportsHealth.org be your guide to learning how to lose weight, exercise, eat better the healthy way.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today and find out which weight-loss medications may be right for you.

If you or someone you know is obese, you're not alone. Consumer Reports Health is here to help with the best research about obesity, and expert evidence and advice about how to treat it.

Key points about obesity

• Obesity is a serious medical condition.
• Losing even a small amount of weight can lower the risk to your health.
• Cutting down on calories, getting more exercise, and learning good eating habits can help you lose weight.
• Medical treatments may also help.
• You're more likely to lose weight if you get help from a health professional.

Just under one-third of people aged 20 and over in the United States are obese. That's about 60 million people. Anybody can become obese if they eat more calories than they use. But there are certain things that make this more likely. Some of these factors you can control, others you can't. They include having parents who are overweight or obese, getting older, being from a certain ethnic group, emotional problems, and certain medical conditions.

You have the best chance of losing weight if you combine diet, exercise, and therapy to help change the way you eat and exercise. Certain medications may also be helpful. We encourage you to read our entire condition report and to consult with your doctor to learn more about obesity. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, you’ll have access to our expert research and recommendations, and you’ll be more confident and knowledgeable about which treatments are best for you.