In this day and age being overweight has not only turned into a health concern but also a stigma, causing individuals to constantly look for ways and means to control their weight and stay as slim as possible.

The high prevalence of obesity in the world is attributed to factors such as sedentary and busy lifestyles, which leave no room for exercise, as well as indulging in fast foods.

Population-based studies from 106 countries have revealed that in 2005 about 23.2 percent of the adults were over-weight and the obese comprised 9.8 percent of the population. Scientists have predicted that more than 58 percent of the world's population will be overweight or obese by the year 2030.

Many believe piggy eating is the main cause of weight gain and that not eating leads to weight loss through the consumption of stored body fat as an energy source.

Therefore, the majority of weight loss solutions aim to curb the appetite in order to reduce food intake.

Stomach bariatric surgeries (Gastric Banding or Gastric Stapling Surgery) are among the commonly used procedures, which help weight loss by enhancing the satiation sensation.

The minor complications reported following these surgeries include dietary intolerance, hair loss, dry skin, and menstrual irregularities and pain. More serious complications requiring medical intervention include bleeding, blood clots, infection, leakage of stomach acids, bowel obstructions and hernia.

Despite the significant weight loss which occurs in nearly all bariatric surgery patients, regaining the shed pounds is a common problem especially in patients who do not change their lifestyle or adopt healthy eating habits.

Gastric or Stomach Bypass is another common operation. In this procedure, a small pouch created in the stomach makes it smaller and allows food to bypass the early section of the small intestine, helping the individual feel satiated sooner.

Dumping, stenosis, narrowed gastric pouch outlet, vitamin or mineral deficiencies and anemia, gallstones, and vomiting caused by stretching the pouch are among the common complications following this procedure.

Anti-obesity medications are another commonly sought out weight loss method. As these drugs change the essential bodily functions they can cause life-threatening and severe side effects - including hypertension, palpitations, faster heart rate, restlessness, insomnia, drug addiction, closed-angle glaucoma and anxiety.

These medications are therefore only clinically recommended in cases where reducing body weight is a life and death issue.

Many think they can eat anything they want while on anti-obesity medication, and the drug will 'do it all'. This is not true. In order to achieve satisfactory results, one must combine medication with a healthy weight-reducing diet and exercise.

Commonly used weight loss medications include:

Orlistat: This drug stops the digestion of dietary fats. As it reduces the absorption of cholesterol and other fatty acids by inhibiting the pancreatic and gastric lipases, it may cause flatulence, oily stool, oily spotting bowel movements and stomach discomfort.

Sibutramine (Meridia, Reductil): A monoaminergic inhibitor which helps weight maintenance by affecting eating behavior and energy balance. The possible side effects of this drug include dryness of the mouth, anorexia, insomnia, constipation and headache.

Rimonabant (Acomplia): This drug stops the consequences of endogenous cannabionoids through blocking the CB1-receptors, responsible for stimulating the appetite. This medication is desirable as it not only contributes to weight loss but also overturns the metabolic results of obesity such as hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance.

It has also been reported effective in overcoming tobacco and alcohol addictions.

Recently, European health officials have suspended the use of this medication as they have found it doubles the risk of serious psychiatric disorders and suicide.

Acarbose: This well known weight loss drug is manufactured for individuals suffering from Type 2 diabetes. This drug counteracts with the digestion of carbohydrates in the small intestine; its consumption, however, is associated with certain side effects including flatulence and stomach discomfort.

There are some who believe their weight problem stems from their eating habits and therefore embark upon the rout to finding the best weight loss diet. The most popular diets include:

The South Beach Diet encourages the consumption of foods rich in 'good carbohydrates' (low glycemic index (GI)) and 'good fats' (unsaturated fats) while minimizing the intake of 'bad carbohydrates' (rapidly-absorbed carbohydrates found in foods with a high GI) and 'bad fats' (saturated and trans fats).

This diet urges individuals to eat whole grains and vegetables rather than refined and processed products. There is no calorie counting in this 3-stage diet!

Eating six meals a day is recommended in this method and snacking between meals is also allowed.

The Atkins Diet restricts carbohydrate intake. This diet focuses on the consumption of low GL foods -- ideally unprocessed or uncooked products.

The 4-stage ketogenic diet is rich in protein and fat (trans-fats are excluded from this regimen) and very low in carbohydrates, fiber, phytochemicals and certain other nutrients.

Meat, cheese and eggs are the recommended dietary items in this 'no calorie counting' regimen. Eating fruits is forbidden.

Low-carbohydrate, fat-rich meals stimulate glucagon secretion, lower insulin secretion, and increase insulin resistance, leading to symptomatic ketoacidosis in certain individuals and may lead to several other health concerns.

Fad diets are quick weight loss regimens, frowned upon because of the health risks they carry for their followers. Exercise and physical activity is not pronounced in this diet, making it tolerable for longer periods.

This diet entails the consumption of magic foods that burn fat through rigid menus encouraging the habitual intake of certain foods. Individuals suffering from underlying conditions such as diabetes are no exception to the rule.

The sum of all the previously mentioned weight loss methods is by adopting a healthy diet (rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fat), eating less and regular exercise one can best maintain his/her desired weight.

Health officials have 8 tips for healthy weight loss:

1. Base your meals on starchy foods.
2. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables.
3. Eat more fish.
4. Cut down on saturated fat and sugar.
5. Try to eat less salt - no more than 6g a day.
6. Get active and try to have a healthy weight.
7. Drink plenty of water.
8. Do not skip breakfast.

Including the following items in the daily diet can also help stay slim.

Cinnamon

This spice helps decrease blood sugar as well as shed stored fats.

Grapefruit
According to the Food Guide Pyramid, one should eat 3-4 servings of fruits per day. Fruits are rich sources of minerals and vitamins especially vitamin C; they also are high in antioxidants.

Eating grapefruit, in any shape, for breakfast can help the body burn excess fats and protect it against weight gain.

Green Tea

Tea is a rich source of various phytochemicals with different health benefits.

The catechins in green tea are responsible for its health benefits especially weight loss. These components play an important role in increasing metabolism and the fat burning process.

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Due to its high sulfur content, garlic has antibacterial, antioxidant, antithrombotic, neuroprotective, immunostimulatory and anticancer properties.

Many studies have found that the consumption of garlic helps reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.