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Living Well DC
Living Well DC
Let’s Go Go DC Take charge of your health with tips and support from DC Health. Visit Go Go DC!

Obesity

Lady in workout clothing with tea mug

Definition 

  • Obesity is a disease that involves having too much body weight   

  • Body Mass Index is often used by health care providers to diagnose obesity when someone has a Body Mass Index* of 30.0 or higher.  

  • *Body Mass Index is the ratio of a person’s weight to height that gives a general measure of a person’s weight status. However, BMI on its own should not be used to diagnose obesity and determine if a person’s weight is healthy.  

  • Many health care providers also measure around a person's waist to help guide treatment decisions. 

Tips 

  • Eat a Healthy Diet: Regularly eating different types of healthy foods including fruits, vegetables, protein, and grains will support a healthy diet, which is essential to having a healthy weight.  

    • Make half your plate fruits and vegetables, eat whole grains, and eat different kinds of proteins like chicken, fish, beans, peas, and lentils.  

  • Stay Physically Active: Get more physical activity or exercise. Adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week. This is just 30-minutes on 5 days a week. Also, include at least 2 days of muscle-strengthening activities, such as weight-lifting to support a healthy weight.  

    • More ideas to stay active:  

    • Take the stairs instead of the elevator, get off one or two bus or metro stop(s) earlier than needed and walk to your destination, stand while working instead of sitting, set a reminder to stretch for five minutes a couple times a day, bike or walk to work if this is available to you, or take a walk during your lunch break.  

  • Get Enough Sleep: Make sure you get enough sleep each night.  

  • Reduce Stress: Learn to recognize stress and develop stress management and relaxation skills, like mindfulness techniques such as meditation and reducing screen time. 

Resources 

  • Living Well: Visit the Go Go DC page for tools to help you eat healthy, exercise, get healthy sleep, go to the doctor, and quit smoking.     

  • DC Department of Parks and Recreation: Find activities and programs for any fitness level by visiting DC DPR Programs.

  • Healthy Eating: USDA offers healthy eating tips and information including budget-friendly healthy recipes.