What does the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend as a health and realistic weight loss goal for patients whose BMI indicates a need for weight loss?
a. 2-4 pounds per week
b. 10% of initial weight over 6 months' time
c. 15% of initial weight over 6 momths' time
d. decreasing BMI by 3-5 points over 6 months
Answer: b. 10% of initial weight over 6 months' time
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends 10% of initial weight over 6 months' time as a healthy and realistic weight loss goal for patients whose BMI indicates a need for weight loss. Anyone with a BMI over 30 could benefit from pharmacological assistance and a BMI over 40 may indicate weight loss surgical intervention.