National Healthy Weight Week is recognized on the third week of January every year and focuses on achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through healthy eating, physical activity, optimal sleep, and stress reduction.
Obesity affects more than 40% of Americans, placing them at higher risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Latino adults and children have among the highest rates of obesity.
With this in mind, let’s explore resources to help you achieve a healthy weight and improve your health!
Get Help Changing Your Habits for Healthy Weight
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) provides a guide, “Changing Your Habits for Better Health,” in English or Spanish.
The guide outlines four stages people often go through to change their health behavior:
- contemplation
- preparation
- action
- maintenance
“Adopting new, healthier habits may protect you from serious health problems like obesity and diabetes. New habits, like healthy eating and regular physical activity, may also help you manage your weight and have more energy. After a while, if you stick with these changes, they may become part of your daily routine.”
The NIDDK also has a resource, “Staying Active at Any Size” in English or Spanish, with tips and guidelines on being and staying active.
“Not only can you be active at any size, you can have fun and feel good at the same time,” according to the NIDDK.
Take Steps to Improve Eating for a Healthy Weight
The USDA provides several resources, including the MyPlate website in English and Spanish, which offers tips and resources that support healthy dietary patterns.
The MyPlate website highlights the benefits of healthy eating and the importance of incorporating all five food groups into meals.
Individuals can also get a customized MyPlate Plan based on their age, sex, height, weight, and physical activity level.
The Start Simple with MyPlate app is also a helpful tool and easy- to-use app that can help you create and meet healthy eating goals.
“Use the Start Simple with MyPlate app to pick simple daily food goals, see real-time progress, and earn badges along the way,” according to the USDA.
Find Stories on Integrating Healthy Habits for a Healthy Weight
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion created the “Move Your Way Healthy Eating Integration Resources” in English and Spanish.
The resource includes six stories that speak to how different individuals integrate physical activity and healthy eating into their daily lives.
Check out the additional Wellness Articles that may help you on your journey:
- Managing a Healthy Weight | Tomah Health
- 10 Instant Tips for a Healthier You Today | Tomah Health
- 3 Foods for Immediate Health Improvement | Tomah Health
- Nutrition Choices Made Easy in the Grocery Aisle | Tomah Health
- 5 Foods That Are Proven to Improve Brain Health | Tomah Health
3 Resources to Use During Healthy Weight Week - Salud America (salud-america.org)