Being underweight may weaken your immune system and put you at risk of osteoporosis. Ask your doctor what you can do to achieve a healthier weight or to address unexpected weight loss. For better health:

• Embrace healthy eating by choosing a variety of nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and energy-dense foods like olive oil, nuts and dried fruits.
• Eat between-meal healthy snacks whole-grain crackers and nuts, for example to increase calories.
• Exercise. Your doctor may recommend strength training to promote lean muscle development and increase your weight in a healthy way.

Congratulations! Your healthy weight is well worth the effort. It reduces your risk of serious health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. To maintain a healthy weight:

• Embrace healthy eating by choosing a variety of nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and small amounts of energy-dense foods like olive oil, nuts and dried fruits.
• Exercise. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of moderately intense activity daily.
• Set action goals focused on specific healthy activities such as improving muscle tone through strength training or starting a daily food and activity diary.

You're on the right track! Being at a healthy weight reduces your risk of serious health conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

However, your waist size suggests that you have excessive abdominal fat, which puts you at greater risk of developing obesity-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease. Talk to your doctor about what you can do to lower your risk.

In the meantime, follow these steps to prevent weight gain:

• Embrace healthy eating. Choose a variety of nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains, protein, and small amounts of healthy energy-dense foods, such as olive oil, nuts and dried fruits.
• Exercise. Guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services say to get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity. Do strength training exercises at least twice a week.
• Set action goals. Focus on specific healthy activities, such as improving muscle tone through strength training or increasing your flexibility through stretching or yoga.

Consider the benefits of a healthy weight — a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, increased energy and improved self-esteem, for example. Then talk to your doctor about the best weight-loss approach for you. To start:

• Embrace healthy eating by choosing a variety of nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and small amounts of energy-dense foods like olive oil, nuts and dried fruits.
• Exercise. Ask your doctor about the right type of activities for you. Remember, even small amounts of activity provide immediate benefits.
• Set action goals focused on specific healthy activities such as starting a daily food and activity diary.

Consider the benefits of a healthy weight — a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, increased energy and improved self-esteem, for example. Then talk to your doctor about the best weight-loss approach for you. To start:

• Embrace healthy eating by choosing a variety of nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and small amounts of energy-dense foods like olive oil, nuts and dried fruits.
• Exercise. Ask your doctor about the right type of activities for you. Remember, even small amounts of activity provide immediate benefits.
• Set action goals focused on specific healthy activities such as starting a daily food and activity diary.

Your weight and waist size are putting you at very high risk of developing obesity-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. Losing weight can not only reduce your risk of these serious health conditions, it can also boost your energy level and improve your self-esteem.

Even modest, sustained weight loss of 3 to 5 percent of total weight produces meaningful health benefits, and greater weight loss produces greater benefits. Talk to your doctor about the best weight-loss approach for you.

• Embrace healthy eating. Choose a variety of nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and small amounts of healthy energy-dense foods, such as olive oil, nuts and dried fruits.
• Exercise. Guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services say to get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity. Do strength training exercises at least twice a week. Before you start a new exercise program, ask your doctor about the right level and type of activities for you. Remember, even small amounts of activity provide immediate health benefits.
• Set action goals. Focus on specific healthy activities to help manage weight, such as starting a daily food and activity record.

Your weight and waist size are putting you at very high risk of developing obesity-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. Losing weight can not only reduce your risk of these serious health conditions, it can also boost your energy level and improve your self-esteem.

Even modest, sustained weight loss of 3 to 5 percent of total weight produces meaningful health benefits, and greater weight loss produces greater benefits. Talk to your doctor about the best weight-loss approach for you.

• Embrace healthy eating. Choose a variety of nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and small amounts of healthy energy-dense foods, such as olive oil, nuts and dried fruits.
• Exercise. Guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services say to get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity. Do strength training exercises at least twice a week. Before you start a new exercise program, ask your doctor about the right level and type of activities for you. Remember, even small amounts of activity provide immediate health benefits.
• Set action goals. Focus on specific healthy activities to help manage weight, such as starting a daily food and activity record.