Overweight and Obesity Prevention
Maintaining a healthy weight is an extremely important part of overall health. Being overweight or obese is associated with higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, some cancers,
and other chronic conditions.
One’s weight is a result of the combination of the energy one takes in (through foods and beverages) and the energy their body uses (through engaging in physical activity). To lose weight, an individual needs to use more calories than they consume. To maintain a healthy weight, one needs to balance the calories they use with those they take in.
Maintaining a healthy weight is not always easy. The key to success is making changes in daily eating and physical activity habits that can be maintained over one’s lifetime.
It is the role of the Minnesota Department of Health to support efforts that:
- Prevent overweight and obesity by promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles
- Stop or slow down obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases
- Improve the quality of life for those already diagnosed as overweight or obese