Important Facts You Should Know about Good Nutrition and Obesity:

• No more than 30 percent of your total daily calories should come from fat.
• The recommended amount of sodium is 2,400 mg per day -- you get 2,300 mg in just one teaspoon of salt.
• Vegetarians -- especially vegans (who eat no meat at all) -- need to monitor their food intake to make sure that they get enough iron, zinc, B vitamins, protein, vitamin D and calcium.
• Any weight-loss program should be focused on slow, steady weight loss.
• Perishables, prepared food and leftovers should be refrigerated or frozen within two hours, and never defrosted on the kitchen counter. Use the refrigerator, cold running water or the microwave to defrost foods.
• About 97 million adults in the United States weigh more than they should; this puts them at increased risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems and certain types of cancers. Studies also find a correlation between obesity and early death.
• For women, obesity is usually defined as being 30 percent or more over ideal body weight. You are morbidly obese if you are more than 100 lbs. overweight.
• Experts generally consider obesity a chronic disease rather than a lifestyle choice.
• Some experts recommend supplements of calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12 for seniors.