Increased weight can lead to cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and type II diabetes. Reaching your appropriate weight can help reduce these risks.

First, find out if you're truly "overweight" by using the BMI calculator.

Then, proceed to safe weight loss tips and tools that will help you safely shed pounds. We've also compiled some easy, small changes that can add up to substantial results.

We'll also show you why those fad diets and gimmicks just don't work in why diets fail.

Excess weight can be a problem for kids, too. If this is an issue in your family, be sure to read this special section.