Key Considerations

Weight loss helps lower elevated blood pressure in patients with hypertension.
Weight loss helps lower elevated levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides, and to raise low levels of HDL-cholesterol, in patients with dyslipidemia.
Weight loss helps lower elevated blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
A diet that is individually planned to help create a deficit of 500 to 1,000 kcal/day should lead to weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week.
Physical activity should be an integral part of weight-loss therapy and weight maintenance. Initially, moderate levels of physical activity for 30 to 45 minutes, 3 to 5 days a week, should be encouraged. All adults should set a long-term goal to accumulate at least 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, and preferably all, days of the week.