Try to lose extra pounds if you need to, or keep up the good work if you're at the right weight now. If you're not overweight, you'll be less likely to get heart disease, and you'll keep extra pressure off your joints. If you're heavier than you should be, losing weight may help lower inflammation, because fat cells make chemicals that cause it.
If you want to keep a healthy weight, figure out how many calories you need each day, and don't eat more than you can burn off. If you want to shed pounds, eat fewer than you burn.
Make it a habit to check calorie amounts in the foods you eat. You can get the info from packaged food labels, cookbooks, websites, and cell phone apps. Use it to help you make a meal plan. It can also help to keep a food diary for a while.