Weight loss refers to the loss of total body mass in an effort to improve fitness, health, and/or appearance. For healthy weight loss, the patient should follow a weight loss plan that is tailored to his requirements. Weight loss occurs when an individual is in a state of negative energy balance. When the human body is spending more energy in work and heat than it is gaining from food or other nutritional supplements, it will catabolise stored reserves of fat or muscle. Although weight loss may involve loss of fat, muscle or fluid, weight loss for the purposes of maintaining health should aim to lose fat while conserving muscle and fluid. With the urbanization of life losing weight is indeed the need of the hour in order to be healthy, fit and of course young. Weight loss can be induced intentionally or artificially with the aid of therapies which might involve crash diets, bariatric surgeries, etc. as well as unintentionally.

Unintentional Weight Loss
Unintentional weight loss is generally triggered by menstruation, hormonal changes and diseases or medications. Most patients experience a lack of appetite following a surgery, especially due to the extreme pain. Nearly 35 percent of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) lose a considerable amount of weight. `Idiopathic` or unexplained weight loss is attributed to cancer, particularly patients of lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, gastrointestinal cancer and so on. HIV patients and people suffering from peptic ulcer, gastritis, diarrhoea, pancreatitis, celiac disease, gastrointestinal issues, renal maladies, cardiovascular ailments, etc. also experience acute weight loss.

Benefits of Weight Loss
A healthy weight loss is quite beneficial for the body, since medical practitioners always state that obesity fuels the risk of several fatal maladies. One can avert the risks associated with high blood pressure, stroke, heart ailments, type 2 diabetes, back ache, osteoarthritis and numerous other diseases. One will notice that a majority of obese people are prone to depression and lack of self-confidence. Low self-esteem continues to attack the mentalities of people who are unable to shed some weight. Certain types of cancer and infertility are also believed to be caused by obesity.

Weight Loss Methods
With the growing need of controlling weight and to shed off those extra pounds various weight loss methods have become largely popular. Based on absolutely scientific procedure, these weight loss methods promise for a better tomorrow whilst making one lot healthier and young. Obesity can be effectually curbed through bariatric surgeries, dietary supplements involving crash diets and the intake of drugs which systematically block the normal appetite. The processes mentioned above are some of the instances of therapeutic weight loss.

Weight Management
Weight Management strives to help individual combat excess weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle while improving quality of life. Developing healthy eating habits while using tips that will keep one fuller for longer can be useful tools in weight management. A balanced weight management program brings together three critical components of long-term weight management success: nutrition, exercise and lifestyle change.