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Do You Need To Lose Weight?

Healthy Hearts, Healthy Homes

National Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
And Office of Research on Minority Health

Contents

Choose To Lose
Do You Need To Lose Weight?
Try These Steps To Lose Weight
Celebrate in a Healthy Way With Your Family
Take Action!
My Heart Health Card
Play It Smart, Take Care of Your Heart
Resources

Choose To Lose

Did you know that overweight and obesity are serious problems for Latino families?

• One in two Latinas is overweight or obese.
• About two in three Latinos are overweight or obese.
• About one in four Latino children is overweight.

Lupe Cano will show you how she and her family lost weight. Lupe says: "My whole family has gained weight because we eat too much and are not physically active."

Here are some other reasons Lupe says she and her family gained weight.

• Our family sits in front of the TV for hours. We snack even after having a large dinner."
• "The kids no longer play outside like they used to. They watch TV, play video games, and use the computer."
• "I don't have time or energy to go for a walk."
• "We eat at places where the food is cheaper. We order large hamburgers, french fries, and sodas."

Does Lupe's family sound like yours? If so, it's time to make some healthy changes.

Lupe says: "The doctor told me that being overweight affects my health and my heart. My family and I have started walking to lose the extra pounds."

Next

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
NIH Publication No. 08-6354
June 2008