What percentage of weight loss is recommended by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to improve overall health?

The recommendation from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute emphasizes that a weight loss of 5-10% of total body weight can lead to significant health benefits for individuals who are overweight or obese. This range is associated with improvements in various health markers, including reductions in blood pressure, improvements in blood glucose levels, and positive changes in cholesterol levels, all of which contribute to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other weight-related health issues.

This percentage is not too aggressive, making it more achievable for individuals, and supports the idea that even modest weight loss can have substantial health benefits. Therefore, targeting a weight loss of 5-10% provides a practical and effective approach for promoting long-term health improvement.