Americans' expanding girths are driving down the number of years they live in good health, a study published Tuesday said. As the percentage of obese adults in the United States shot up by 90 percent in 16 years, from 14 percent in 1993 to 27 percent two years ago, the number of quality-adjusted life years lost because of obesity more than doubled, said the study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. From 1993-2008, obesity meant more men and women from every ethnic group were dying younger or suffering ill health, the study said. Black women were both the most likely group to be obese and lost the greatest number of quality years of life because of obesity. They lost 68 percent more quality years of life due to obesity, and the percentage who were obese rose by around 16 percentage points, from around 25 percent in 1993 to around 41 percent of black women in 2008. Black men were in second place on both counts, but a long way behind the women. Next came both … [Read more...] about Obesity weighs heavily on health, lifespan in US: study
Centers for disease control and prevention obesity
WHO targets child obesity with food marketing curbs
Health ministers, alarmed at the growing number of obese children, have agreed to try to reduce children's consumption of junk food and soft drinks by asking member states to restrict advertising and marketing. The global recommendations on marketing of foods and nonalcoholic beverages to children are guidelines to the 193 member states of the World Health Organization (WHO). An obese child in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo by Nghia Pham) … [Read more...] about WHO targets child obesity with food marketing curbs
Obesity rates keep rising in U.S.: report
Obesity prevalence was 30 percent or higher in 12 states of the United States last year, compared to nine states in 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Tuesday. In 2000, no states in the country had obesity rates that high, and now obesity is a problem in all 50 states, the agency said in a report based on telephone interviews with 400,000 people. … [Read more...] about Obesity rates keep rising in U.S.: report
U.S. FDA approves new obesity drug
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday approved Belviq to treat obesity, making it the first new weight-loss drug in 13 years. The drug is approved for use in adults with a body mass index ( BMI) of 30 or greater (obese), or adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) and who have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. BMI, which measures body fat based on an individual's weight and height, is used to define the obesity and overweight categories. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of adults in the United States are obese. "Obesity threatens the overall well being of patients and is a major public health concern," said Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "The approval of this drug, used responsibly in combination with a healthy diet and lifestyle, provides a treatment option for Americans who are obese or are … [Read more...] about U.S. FDA approves new obesity drug
U.S. first lady to visit Texas on nationwide anti-childhood obesity campaign
U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama will visit Texas next week as one stop of her three-day nationwide tour to promote her initiative to combat childhood obesity, the White House said Friday. The visit is part of the tour by the first lady to celebrate the second anniversary of Let's Move!, her initiative to solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generation, according to an announcement by the White House. The tour, from February 9 through 11, will also bring Obama to Iowa, Arkansas and Florida. She will highlight roles that churches, restaurants, schools, businesses, families and the military can play in fighting obesity. The Let's Move! Campaign was announced on February 9, 2010 by Michelle Obama, who indicated the campaign would encourage healthier food in schools, better food labeling and more physical activity for children. On the same date, President Barack Obama signed a presidential memorandum creating the Task Force on Childhood Obesity to review current programs … [Read more...] about U.S. first lady to visit Texas on nationwide anti-childhood obesity campaign