Healthy Weight Management

Maintaining a healthy weight is important to achieve optimum quality of life, maintain physical functions and reduce medical complications.

Healthy body weight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2. Overweight is defined as a BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2, and obesity is defined as a BMI >30 kg/m2.

Unplanned Weight Loss

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) defines significant weight loss as:

  • Loss of 5 percent of body weight in a 30-day period
  • Loss of 7.5 percent of body weight in a 90-day period
  • Loss of 10 percent of body weight in a 180-day period

CMS defines severe weight loss as:

  • More than 5 percent of body weight in a 30-day period
  • More than 7.5 percent of body weight in a 90-day period
  • More than 10 percent of body weight in a 180-day period

Weight loss of more than 10 percent of body weight during a 30-day period is considered to represent protein-energy malnutrition. Contributing factors to weight loss must be identified to implement appropriate care.

Unplanned Weight Gain

Significant weight gain occurs when BMI increases from overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2) to obesity (>30 kg/m2). In addition to identifying contributing factors, the person's readiness to change their food intake and change their amount of physical activity must be determined. An individualized plan for weight management includes both caloric reduction and physical activity.

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