For Consumers

Diet

Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, published by the departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture, explains how good dietary habits for people 2 and older can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases.

Tips on Controlling Portion Size
This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention resource provides tips on foods that will fill you up without consuming a large number of calories. Also: Advice on how to avoid some common portion-size pitfalls.

Using Fruits and Vegetables to Manage Weight
This CDC resource discusses the role of fruits and vegetables in weight management and provides tips to cut calories by substituting fruits and vegetables. Included are meal-by-meal examples and snack ideas that are 100 calories or fewer.

MyPyramid.gov
The new Department of Agriculture food pyramid offers a customizable eating plan and healthful diet tips.

'Rethink Your Drink'
Reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is an effective way to cut calories and aid weight management. The CDC offers research and suggestions to support the availability and selection of non-caloric beverage alternatives.

We Can! A Parent Handbook
The National Institutes of Health, through its Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition (We Can!), offers parents and caregivers practical approaches to helping children 8 to 13 years old stay at a healthy weight.

Media-Smart Youth
An interactive after-school education program from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development . For children ages 11 to 13. Designed to help teach them about the complex media world around them, and how it can affect their health - especially in the areas of nutrition and physical activity.

CalorieKing: Food Awareness Resource
CalorieKing's database is searched free millions of times each month. Also, consumers can download a free foodsearch toolbar from Joslin Diabetes Center and CalorieKing.

Exercise

Physical Activity for Everyone
Let the CDC show you how to enjoy physical activity and health benefits without strenuous exercise or boring workouts.

Growing Stronger - Strength Training for Older Adults

Physical Activity Resources for Health Professionals
Key reference documents, data and surveillance resources and information from the CDC to help health professionals plan, evaluate and promote physical activity programs at the local level.

Hearts N' Parks
A national, community-based program supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and National Recreation and Park Association. It is designed to help park and recreation agencies encourage heart-healthy lifestyles in their communities.

U.S. Physical Activity Statistics

State Physical Activity Directory
This online database of physical activity programs in state health departments allows consumers to research programs, gather ideas and share information.

BAM! Body and Mind
BAM! Body and Mind, for 9 to 13 year olds, provides information to make healthful lifestyle choices.

Pharmacology

Prescription Medications for the Treatment of Obesity
A National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Weight-control Information Network, overview of pharmaceutical options for managing obesity.

Surgical Options

Gastric bypass surgery: What can you expect?
An informative article and related links from the Mayo Clinic

Bariatric Surgery for Severe Obesity
From the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Weight-control Information Network.

Medline Plus - Weight Loss Surgery
A good collection of information and links from the National Library of Medicine.

American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Consumer Protection

Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight-loss Program
A fact sheet from the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Weight-control Information Network (WIN), to help consumers make an informed decision about joining a weight-loss program.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Diet & Fitness, provides consumer information on topics such as finding the right weight loss program and avoiding deception.

Other Links of Interest

Aim for a Healthy Weight
The consumer and patient area of this National Heart Lung and Blood Institute site.

Use this Mayo Clinic calorie calculator to estimate the number of daily calories your body needs.


Links to weight tracking tools (based on studies showing that daily weighing is a key habit among individuals who lose and maintain reduced weight):
www.fitday.com
www.soundtells.com/WeightTracker/index.html
weighttracker.info