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The weight management techniques discussed here are straightforward. But if you are over 40, have been inactive for some time, suffer from shortness of breath or weakness that interferes with daily activities or suffer from a chronic condition, consult a health care professional before beginning any effort to reduce your weight or increase your activity level.

If you are healthy, you may not need to consult a health care professional before launching a weight management program but you might want to talk to a professional who specializes in this area. These include:

• Nutritionist. There is no accepted national definition for the title "nutritionist." Some states have a statutory definition of nutritionist requiring that the RD credential is not required for certification as a nutritionist, but is required for licensing as a dietitian. In general, the license or certification as a dietitian can be obtained with a bachelors degree, a related supervised practice experience component and an exam (or proof of RD status with the Commission on Dietetic Registration), while the nutritionist licensure or certification typically requires a masters degree or higher.

  Make sure any nutritionist you see is licensed by a state agency. Nutritionists, with educational background in foods and nutrition, and dietitians evaluate the diets and nutritional habits of clients and help structure more healthful eating patterns and weight management strategies based on their patient's health needs, food selection and calorie goals. Nutritionists do not advise most patients with chronic illnesses, disorders and other disease conditions.

• Registered dietitians (RD). An RD after someone's name indicates a dietitian who has completed academic and practice requirements established by the American Dietetic Association, including a bachelor's degree, an accredited pre-professional experience program, successful completion of a national credentialing exam and ongoing continuing professional development. A registered dietician may have a master's degree and advanced training in certain subspecialties, such as diabetes education.

• Endocrinologist. Endocrinology is the field of medicine involving the body's chemical messengers, or hormones, and its biochemical control mechanisms, or metabolism. Endocrinologists are physicians who care for patients with complex hormonal disorders and metabolic conditions, including obesity as well as diabetes, thyroid disorders, metabolic bone disease, pituitary and adrenal conditions and growth and gonadal disorders.

• Personal trainer. Trainers provide one-on-one exercise-related goal-setting help, motivation, professional expertise and personalized attention—all key components of reaching your personal health and fitness goals. A personal trainer should be certified by an accredited professional organization such as the American Council on Exercise, the American College of Sports Medicine or the American Aerobics and Fitness Association. Keep in mind that personal trainers vary greatly, not only in educational background and cost, but also in personal philosophy, training and consulting practices.

Lose, Maintain or Gain?

To determine if you are overweight, of normal weight or underweight, you or your health care professional can calculate your body mass index (BMI), which describes body weight relative to height and is strongly correlated with total body fat content in adults. Your BMI equals your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters squared. Or you can divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared and then multiply by 705.

The following chart shows body mass indices for people of various heights and weights. To determine your BMI, find the row that most closely approximates your weight. Read across the row until it crosses the column closest to your height.