A person who is overweight or obese has a body mass index (BMI) that us higher than normal. Body mass index measures a person’s weight in relation to his/her height. It is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of his/her height in meters. In Filipinos, BMI values have following weight classification: Underweight <18.5 kg/m² Normal 18.5-22.9 kg/m² Overweight 23-24.9kg/m² Obese I 25-29.9kg/m² Obese II >30 kg/m² Obese/overweight individuals may: • Get tired easily • Have breathing problems (especially after sudden bursts of activity) • Skin irritation in areas that touch each other or rub together • Have problems with sleeping, like insomnia and snoring • Experience back and joint pains • Develop other medical problems like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and fertility problems

There are no magic shortcuts for long-term, safe, and healthy weight loss. Losing 1 to 2 pounds every week is okay; losing weight quicker than that will do a person more harm than good. Here are some helpful tips to lose weight safely: • Limit high-calorie food intake, specifically fatty and sugary foods and drinks • Eat more fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts • Keep a food diary to help monitor your daily calories • Engage in regular physical activity, especially something you enjoy • Maintain a healthy lifestyle: do not smoke, avoid alcohol drinking, sleep at least 7 to 8 hours, and undergo behavioral counseling if you need help losing weight

There are various ways to help prevent unhealthy weight gain: • Having a healthy lifestyle, including getting enough sleep • Regular self-weighing to monitor weight loss or gain • Eating a healthy diet, especially low-fat foods, fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich foods • Avoiding alcohol, sweets, and sugary drinks • Exercising regularly