Resources for People Who Want to Lose Weight

Nonprofit Support Groups

These groups do not promote any specific weight-loss plan. Rather, members following various plans meet for support.

Each of these programs promotes a specific plan for losing weight.

Health care providers run clinical programs. They generally are very-low-calorie diets meant for people who have a lot of weight to lose.

The Commonsense Guide to Weight Loss for People With Diabetes. By Barbara Caleen Hansen and Shauna S. Roberts. Published by the American Diabetes Association in 1998. Scientifically sound weight-loss information tailored to people with diabetes.
Thin for Life: 10 Keys to Success from People Who Have Lost Weight and Kept It Off. By Anne M. Fletcher. Published by Houghton Mifflin in 2003. Weight-loss methods of people who have lost and kept off at least 20 pounds.
Weighing the Options: Criteria for Evaluating Weight-Management Programs. Edited by Paul R. Thomas. Published by the National Academy Press in 1995. How to find the right weight-loss program for you. Much useful information, but technical and somewhat dated.
Small Steps, Big Rewards: Walking Your Way to Better Health. Published by the American Diabetes Association in 2003. Advice and tips for walking for health. Comes with a pedometer to count every step you take.

Weight Control Information Network: www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/win.htm
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Weight Loss and Control: www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/nutrit.htm
Federal Trade Commission Diet, Health & Fitness Consumer Information: www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-health.htm. Brochures on many health topics, including exercise and weight loss.
Partnership for Healthy Weight Management: www.consumer.gov/weightloss/bmi.htm. Here you can find out your body-mass index to learn whether you weigh too much.

American Dietetic Association Nutrition Fact Sheets: www.eatright.org/Public/index_11722.cfm
Food and Drug Administration Information About Losing Weight and Maintaining a Healthy Weight: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/wh-wght.html
American Diabetes Association “Weight Loss Matters” Brochures: www.diabetes.org/health/weightloss/default.jsp

Shape Up America!: www.shapeup.org/. Information on becoming more fit and losing weight.
American College of Sports Medicine: www.acsm.org/health%2Bfitness/brochures.htm. Brochures on exercise equipment and other exercise topics.
American Running Association: www.americanrunning.org/displayindustrynews.cfm. Articles on many aspects of exercise, not just running.

If you want expert help, start by asking your doctor for a referral. If that does not work out, here are other places to find experts.

American Dietetic Association: 800-366-1655, www.eatright.org/Public/index_7684.cfm. Referrals to registered dietitians and registered dietetic technicians.
American Association of Diabetes Educators: 800-338-3633, www.aadenet.org/FindAnEduc/index.html. Referrals to diabetes educators.
American Council on Exercise: 800-825-3636 x654, www.acefitness.org/profreg/default.aspx. Referrals to personal trainers and other certified fitness professionals.
American Council on Exercise: www.acefitness.org/clublocator/. Locate a health club.
Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center: 858-792-7463, www.edreferral.com/. Referrals to treatment centers, eating disorder specialists, telephone and online counseling, workshops, and support groups.
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders: 847-831-3438, www.altrue.net/site/anadweb/. Provides information and referrals to support groups and health care professionals.
American Society of Bariatric Physicians: 303-770-2526, www.asbp.org/locate.htm. Referrals to doctors with special training in helping people lose weight.
American Board of Bariatric Medicine: 303-779-0279, www.abbmcertification.org/find_physician.html. Referrals to doctors who have passed exams testing their knowledge of obesity.
American Society for Bariatric Surgery: 352-331-4900, www.asbs.org/html/member.html. Provides names of doctors who do obesity surgery.