Obesity + Original Articles

If you slip up and eat every diet no-no in sight, don't beat yourself up. Get back on track with these tips. If your commitment to healthful eating is derailed for a day (or two or three), don't give up. Eating well is not an all-or-nothing proposition, and you can bounce back from some less than optimal indulgences with a little forethought and resolve. Remember that it isn't one day of bad eating that will harm you, but rather habitual bad eating.

Skip the artificially flavored bottled water, and add your own natural twist. While there's no evidence that drinking eight glasses of water every day is the perfect prescription for good health, it's a reasonable guideline for most people. Flavored waters can help you reach that goal. A wedge of lemon in your water is classic, but there are more creative ways to add fun and flavor to your drink.

Consider three sizeable arguments against soda, and diet soda too. Plus, sip on replacement thirst quenchers. Next time you want to quench your thirst, how about foregoing the soda and other sugary drinks and instead down a tall glass of cold water or another healthy alternative? Your body may thank you later. There's been much attention in recent years focused on the negative effects of sugary drinks.

It has nothing to do with flying and everything to do with your sleep schedule on weekdays vs. weekends. See if you match the pattern. If you're like many people, you have a set bedtime and wakeup time from Monday through Friday. On weekends, however, anything goes. The problem is this: If you go to bed and get up at different times on different days, you may suffer the side effects of a phenomenon known as social jet lag.

The support you need can be just a click away, but first it's essential to find trustworthy advice. If you've ever googled diabetes in search of useful information on the right diet, drugs, and exercise to help manage your diabetes, you know how overwhelming it can be to plow through scores of websites. After spending hours online, you may come away wondering if what you've read actually is beneficial to your health.

Studies link sodium to heart disease and hypertension. But now, science shows sodium is beneficial. Here's what to believe. The body needs sodium. It helps regulate blood pressure and blood volume. It's also essential for muscle and nerve functions. The problem? If you consume too much, it can raise blood pressure, which increases your risk for heart disease and stroke. And it's easy to consume too much.

Men can prevent health risks by paying attention to changes in their body and seeing their doctor when something isn't right. When it comes to scheduling doctor visits, some men are notorious procrastinators. But this can be risky. Routine preventive care can find diseases in the early stages when there are more options for treatment and better chances of treating the issue.

As obesity rates climb, health problems such as diabetes are becoming more common. Here's a look at the disease by the numbers. Diabetes is a chronic, life-altering disorder that can pose daily challenges to those struggling to keep their blood sugar in the normal range. The most serious form, type 1, is an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas stops producing insulin. Multiple daily insulin injections or an insulin pump are needed to manage it.

Proper eating can have an enormous impact on your health. Here's a look at nutrition by the numbers. If you want to look and feel your best, a healthy diet is key. Eating right may also help reduce your risk for such serious disorders as diabetes, osteoporosis, and heart disease. But following a balanced diet can be challenging when you're not exactly sure what foods have which nutrients, and how much of a particular food you should be consuming.

Here are some of the exciting developments on the near horizon of diabetes treatment options. Having diabetes is no walk in the park, but living with the disorder really does get easier all the time. Just 10 years ago, testing the blood sugar took several long minutes. Insulin pumps were unheard of. And the concept of an artificial pancreas was almost unthinkable.

From entrées and desserts to sodas and sides, Americans are supersizing. Learn how to choose healthier portions. If you think that plate of spaghetti is much bigger than it was when you were a child, you're probably right: Portion size has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. The result? A dramatic rise in the number of overweight and obese Americans. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducted several studies and found alarming changes in the number of calories people consume now compared with what they ate 20 years ago.

Follow these easy tips to make exercise part of your daily routine. Let's face it: We live in an inactive nation where obesity has become a growing epidemic. More than one-third of American adults meet the criterion for obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The good news is that it's never too late and never too hard to get in shape.

Psoriasis can be frustrating, painful, even embarrassing. Follow these tips to keep flare-ups at bay. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as many as 7.5 million Americans suffer from psoriasis—a chronic, non-contagious skin disease that affects the life cycle of skin cells. For most people, skin cells take about one month to move from the lowest skin layer to the outermost layer, where they die and flake off.

About 90 percent of the more than 25 million U.S. children and adults affected by diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Find out more about this growing epidemic, from risk factors to treatment options. Diabetes is a lifelong metabolic disorder that affects more than 25 million U.S. children and adults—about 90 percent of whom suffer from type 2 diabetes. The bodies of those affected by the disease either can't produce enough insulin or have cells that ignore the insulin.

More and more Americans are opting for bariatric surgery to shed major pounds and improve their quality of life. Find out if you or a loved one could be a candidate. As most health experts can attest, the best way to lose weight is to exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. But that doesn't always work—just ask the 129.6 million Americans, or 64 percent of the population, who are currently overweight or obese.

There's no one food that can magically transform an overweight body into an ideal figure. But there are foods that are beneficial to eat on the journey to a slimmer body. There's no one food that can magically transform an overweight body into an ideal figure. Eating plans that consist solely of grapefruit aren't realistic or effective, nor are plans that promote eating only cabbage soup or special "weight-loss cookies.

Nutrition labels can be deceiving. Learn how to cut though the hype and make healthier choices. If the nutrition label reads "zero grams trans fat" it must be healthy, right? Wrong! As it turns out, federal regulations allow labels to read "zero grams trans fat" as long as a product contains less than 0.5 grams of the artery-clogging fat per serving.

These healthy eating tips will help you make it to New Year's without the extra pounds or the guilt. A healthy diet can be difficult to maintain at any time of year, but once the holiday season rolls around, the task becomes ten times harder. It all begins at Thanksgiving dinner with freshly carved turkey, mashed potatoes with sour cream, corn-bread stuffing, and of course, the all-American apple pie.

There is no guaranteed protection against breast cancer, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk. An estimated 1in 8 women will be afflicted with breast cancer in her lifetime. Although there is no guaranteed protection against the disease, there are things you can do to lower your risk. Follow these tips to help prevent breast cancer and to support finding a cure: Maintain a healthy weight.

Sugar, butter, and cream may be one celebrity chef's go-to ingredients, but that doesn't mean you should follow in her footsteps. You can still recreate the cuisine of the Queen of Southern Cooking without doing damage to your health. Let a team of experts show you how. Now that Paula Deen's been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, it's time for her followers to rethink adding all that butter, cream, and sugar to food to make it taste good. It's certainly possible to switch out high-fat, high-cholesterol ingredients for more healthful ones, nutrition experts say.

Discover why extra fat surrounding the abdominal region could put you at an increased risk for developing asthma. According to new research released in fall 2011, extra fat surrounding the abdominal region could put you at an increased risk for developing asthma. Research on Obesity and Asthma While many researchers have looked at the connection between general obesity and asthma, a study presented at the European Respiratory Society's Annual Congress in Amsterdam is the one of the first attempts to look specifically at the role of waist circumference and its relationship to lung function.

Here are some of the clever tools that will fill your diabetes medicine cabinet of the future. If you're worried that you'll be dealing with insulin shots for the rest of your life, don't despair just yet. Though injections are still the only effective way to deliver insulin to the body, a variety of new devices may be on the horizon. Here's a look at what's under development: Inhalable Insulin Efforts to come up with a safe, effective inhalable insulin so far have been unsuccessful, but companies keep on trying.

Two new tests could allow you to assess your pre-diabetes risk and monitor your blood sugar, all with just a puff of breath. Two new tests could allow you to assess your pre-diabetes risk and monitor your blood sugar, all with just a puff of breath. Pre-Diabetes Breath Test Someday soon you may be able to accurately predict your diabetes risk without a single finger prick.

They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, but perhaps menu monotony is the way to keep his heart healthy. They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, but perhaps menu monotony is the way to keep his heart healthy. New research suggests repeated exposure to a food may be what's needed to reduce excess consumption of it. A study conducted by researchers from the University of Buffalo and the University of Florida compared the behavior of two groups of obese and non-obese women.

Asking the right questions of yourself and your loved ones could save lives. Figuring out who's likely to develop type 2 diabetes isn't all that difficult, provided the patient's healthcare provider asks the right questions and alerts the patient to the fact that he might have prediabetes. A community study, the largest non-governmental study of its kind, found that predictors for the disease are easy to pinpoint.

Many men may find this to be startling news, but breast cancer doesn't happen only in women. Although men don't have breasts in the sense that women do, they do have breast tissue and enough of it to make breast cancer possible. Many men may find this to be startling news, but breast cancer doesn't happen only in women. Although men don't have breasts in the sense that women do, they do have breast tissue and enough of it to make breast cancer possible. In men, breast tissue is primarily composed of tubular passages called ducts which are located under the nipple and in the areas surrounding it.

Visceral fat, the type found around the waist and belly and surrounding the vital organs, poses much more of a health risk to you than fat that's right under the skin. But upping a particular type of fiber in your diet could help you get rid of it. No one likes to have flabby arms, chubby thighs, or bountiful hips. But fat in these areas is considered subcutaneous fat, and while it may not be pretty, it's not as hazardous to your health as visceral fat. This second type, found around the waist and belly and surrounding the vital organs, poses much more of a health risk to you than fat that's right under the skin.

Here's how a food diary can help you and your doctor. Plus tricks to make keeping one easier. Suppose your blood sugar is running high on a particular day, and you're not quite sure why. You think back to the morning: did walking rather than driving to work play havoc with your numbers? Or could it have been the cinnamon bun that had your name on it at the local bakery? But you didn't eat the whole thing.

Keeping safe from toxic chemicals is no easy task these days. Here are practical steps you can take to minimize exposure. Keeping children safe from toxic chemicals is no easy task these days. The current offender: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical used to make plastic clear and hard. It also keeps bacteria from contaminating foods and prevents cans from rusting.

Following a balanced diet can help you lower your blood sugar and cholesterol, and it ensures you'll enjoy lots of delicious and healthy options. Here's how to do it. If the thought of following a "balanced diet" has you so confused you're a bit, well, off balance, not to worry. The June issue of Diabetes Forecast, the magazine of the American Diabetes Association, outlines some simple steps for adopting a diet that's not just balanced, but tasty and easy to follow, too.

What and how you eat could be hazardous to your health. When Canadian physician Kevin Patterson worked as doctor at the Canadian Combat Surgical Hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan, he came to realize that the Afghans he treated had very different body types from the Canadians he typically cared for back in his homeland.

This juicy little fruit contains a substance that may help prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes. No medical expert's going to advise you to eat a tangerine a day to keep the doctor away. But the juicy little fruit could turn out to have awesome health benefits. It contains a substance called nobiletin, which may protect against obesity and type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.

As a part of diabetes management, taking off excess weight is important, but it's essential to do it the right way. Anyone who's ever decided to lose weight knows that impatient feeling. You want results—instant results—and you're more than ready to embrace any diet that promises a new, slimmer you in a very short time. Before you put yourself on a trendy diet that promises rapid weight loss, consider that a fad diet could have even more severe health consequences for you than for someone without diabetes.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has unveiled a new icon that it hopes will make choosing nutritious foods easier for Americans. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has unveiled a new icon that it hopes will make choosing healthful foods easier for all Americans. The icon, which replaces the old food pyramid, is a colorful graphic image of a plate divided into separate sections and is intended to provide a visual reminder of the appropriate balance between the different food groups.

There's good news for people looking to lower their risk for heart disease. A new study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition reveals that taking a daily dose of safflower oil—about 1 2/3 teaspoons—might help keep heart disease at bay. The findings come from a study of obese, postmenopausal women who have type 2 diabetes and were given the safflower oil for 16 weeks.

A new study finds that teens with dogs log more exercise per week as compared to their canine-free counterparts. Dogs have long been called man's best friend due to their loyalty and companionship. Now, a new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine suggests they're worth their wagging tails as a weight-loss tool for inactive teens.   The study found that teenagers with dogs may log an additional 15 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week.

Are you an "apple"? Are you a "pear"? And what does that really determine anyway? For years we've been told that people with "central obesity"—also known as an "apple" body type—were at greater risk of developing heart disease than people with a "pear" shape, whose fat is clustered around their thighs and buttocks. However, a new study published in the medical journal The Lancet dispels that notion.

New research suggests that a particular plant oil might be a powerful weapon in the fight against obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Abdominal fat is more hazardous to your health than the fat that accumulates in other parts of the body. The reason? "Belly fat is more harmful because it's so close to your vital internal organs," says Jerome Tolbert, MD, of Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.

Chances are that your doctor has never mentioned acupuncture as a potential part of your treatment. It's an unconventional approach, but some say it works. You try to get some exercise (most days), you eat right (no extra desserts for you!), and you take whatever medications your doctor recommends. Chances are that your doctor has never mentioned acupuncture as a way to improve your diabetes, though. So far, this ancient form of Chinese medicine is not exactly a standard treatment for the disease.

Twenty-five percent of people with diabetes don't even know they have it and that means they're not getting the treatment they need or taking the important steps necessary to keep the disease in check. Considering that there are 7 million undiagnosed diabetics in the United States and about 1.9 million new cases of diabetes diagnosed each year, it's likely that someone you know has the disease. In fact, you or a family member could be at risk for developing diabetes.

If you can't remember the last time you saw a doctor (taking your kids to the pediatrician doesn't count), you're probably long overdue for a checkup. Whether it's ego, lack of time, or just not fond of needles, men are known to resist medical care. If you can't remember the last time you saw a doctor (taking your kids to the pediatrician doesn't count), you're probably long overdue for a checkup. Whether it's ego, lack of time, or just not fond of needles, men are known to resist medical care. The statistics from the U.

In recent years, scientists have recognized a link between asthma and obesity, but understanding which problem comes first hasn't been quite as clear. In recent years, scientists have recognized a link between asthma and obesity, but understanding this which problem comes first hasn't been quite as clear. Researching the Asthma and Obesity Link Some experts believe that asthmatics find it difficult to exercise and as a result make sedentary lifestyle choices that lead to becoming overweight.

Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the U.S. But heart disease is actually a category of diseases and it pays to know the different types. The term "heart disease" broadly refers to a range of diseases-more than 50-that affect your heart and blood vessels and is often used interchangeably with "cardiovascular disease." Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the U.S. ...

Harvard School of Public Health scientists, along with colleagues from other institutions, have discovered a natural substance in dairy fat that could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Harvard School of Public Health scientists, along with colleagues from other institutions, have discovered a natural substance in dairy fat that could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. The substance, a fatty acid that's present in butter, cheese, and milk, is called trans-palmitoleic acid.

When food replaces personal relationships or when overeating is a response to stress or depression, a potentially life-threatening situation can occur. When food replaces personal relationships or when overeating is a response to stress or depression, a potentially life-threatening situation can occur. "We all engage in over eating at times," says Melissa Katz, Psy.D, a clinical psychologist who specializes in eating disorders.

Could half the country be diabetic in 10 years? Here are changes you can make now to keep this scary prediction from becoming reality. Half of Americans will have Type 2 diabetes by 2020, according to a current forecast. This comes from a newly released report by United Health Group's Center for Reform and Modernization.  It's a scary figure to consider, since diabetes is a devastating and potentially deadly disease.

It probably doesn't matter what type of creamer you use, or what's on the ingredient list if you drink a cup of coffee a day. But if you drink several cups a day, and add more than the standard serving size of creamer per cup, you may be getting more fat and sugar than you bargained for. If you only drink one cup of coffee a day, it probably doesn't matter what type of creamer you use, or what's on the ingredient list. But if you drink several cups a day, and add more than the standard serving size of creamer per cup, you may be getting more fat and sugar than you bargained for.

Do they or don't they? The question of whether artificial sweeteners cause cancer has been hotly debated in the medical community. Do they or don't they? The question of whether artificial sweeteners cause cancer has been hotly debated in the medical community. The conclusion: scientists don't think so. At least, the data collected so far is inconclusive, and does not point to a link.

Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is a very scary condition that can be fatal. What do you need to know about DVT to ensure it doesn't happen to you? Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is a very scary condition that can come on without warning. It involves the formation of a clot in the lower body, usually the legs. If this clot dislodges and becomes stuck in the heart or lungs, it can be fatal. Immediate treatment is crucial for survival.

Growing evidence supports the theory that it is possible to be overweight and healthy, provided the individual is also fit. Don't judge a book by its cover has long been the counsel of school teachers, but a growing body of evidence suggests the expression may apply to people, too. Overweight adults, it turns out can be healthy. One example is research published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) which followed 2,600 adults (60 and over) for 12 years to observe the link between weight, fitness, and mortality.

Get to know this common test, what it measures, and what percentage number means you're in good control. Whether you have just been diagnosed with diabetes or you've had it for awhile, you've surely heard the term "hemoglobin A1C" tossed around by your doctor. Here are answers to some important questions about this test. 1. What exactly does the hemoglobin...

The statistics are shocking: According to the American Heart Association, every 45 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke. While most strokes occur in people over age 55, the risk of stroke for those under 45 is still pretty high, occurring in about one in 1,000. Unlike older adults whose strokes are usually caused by atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and pieces of plaque from coronary artery disease breaking off and moving to the brain, the causes of strokes in young people are more often the result of other factors.

Start paying attention to this organ, experts say, since having diabetes puts you at risk for developing a potentially serious liver disease. If you have diabetes, you may feel like you've got enough to cope with just dealing with the day to day stress of monitoring your blood sugar and watching what you eat. Who's got time to think about your liver? Start paying attention to this organ, experts say, since having diabetes puts you at risk for developing fatty liver disease.

Type 2 diabetes, once considered a disease of the old, is turning up more often than ever before in younger people, but there is some good news. Type 2 diabetes, once considered a disease of older people, is turning up more often than ever in the young and rising obesity rates among teens is why. Some 154,000 people under the age of 20 now have diabetes in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Whether you want to lose 5 or 50 pounds, it's extra challenging when you have diabetes. Whether you want to lose 5 or 50 pounds, it's extra challenging when you have diabetes. If you're prone to episodes of hypoglycemia, there are times when you have to eat whether or not you want to, and it can be frustrating to have to take in those extra calories to prevent your blood sugar from dropping dangerously low.

The color of the food you eat really matters, especially if you suffer from asthma. Research now points out that starchy white foods may make asthma symptoms worse over time, but it's not for reasons you'd expect. What color is the food you eat? If you suffer from asthma, it could really matter. That's why researchers stress that asthmatics steer clear of starchy white foods, which may make asthma symptoms worse over time. Although, it's probably not for the reasons you'd expect.

Tips for how to prevent this sleep-robbing, and potentially fatal, disorder. It's easy to blame the symptoms on something else—job stress, an exciting TV show right before bed, or waiting up for a teenager who's late getting home. But if you suffer from constant fatigue, chronic poor concentration, depression and a lack of energy, you may have obstructive sleep apnea and not even know it.

Research suggests that your TV-viewing habit can be a deadly pastime. Americans watch more than five hours of television per day on average, according to a 2008 study conducted by the Neilsen Company. While you may have your weekly "must-watch" show , you may consider doing something else with those 25+ hours that you usually spend plopped in front of the television.

Soda has become ubiquitous and the rate at which we drink these sugared beverages continues to rise. Many health experts are concerned about a link between soda consumption and increased risk for cancer. Soda has become ubiquitous in our society, and the rate at which we drink these sugared beverages continues to rise. Many health experts are concerned about a link between soda consumption and an increased risk for cancer. Several studies have linked carbonated soft drinks with a significant increase in the most common type of cancer of the esophagus in white men in the U.

Did you know that encouraging your child to go outside to play can be a step towards helping her do better in school? Did you know that encouraging your child to go outside to play can be a step towards helping her do better in school? Researchers have found that children who are more physically active actually perform better academically.  Wonder why this is the case? There are several reasons why physical fitness and school performance seem to relate.

The coming years promise to bring a great many things to the health realm. Here, some of the most startling forecasts. When it comes to the future of our overall health, some say that technology has both blessed us and cursed us. On the one hand, technological advancements continue to show us amazing ways in which we can beat diseases and improve our quality of life. On the other hand, it has encouraged a sedentary lifestyle, which has caused obesity rates (and the illnesses associated with them) to skyrocket, and it has contributed to climate changes that are threatening the stability of our ecosystems.

Obesity can increase your chances of experiencing dangerous complications from asthma. We tell you why. Did you know that being overweight can increase your risk of being hospitalized for asthma? This is especially true for women, although both sexes can experience the connection, which can be extremely dangerous-and sometimes fatal. A Vicious Cycle The reason why asthma and obesity co-exist isn't completely clear, but experts do know that the relationship can be a vicious cycle.

General health problems that put your sexual health at risk — and what you can do about it. Consider this: Thirty to 50 percent of men with diabetes suffer from erectile dysfunction. Men in their 40s who have erectile dysfunction (ED) are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease compared to men without ED. These are just a few examples of how your sexual health relates to overall health.

Some studies show that in heavy patients who have cardiovascular disease, obesity may play a protective role. But is this recent realization an invitation to indulge? For years, we've been warned that being overweight or obese puts us at risk for heart disease. But some studies show that in heavy patients with cardiovascular disease,  obesity may play a protective role. Obese patients with heart disease seem to do better and live longer than skinny ones, according to a review article in the May 26, 2009 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Are you at higher risk for cancer because of your genes? Genetic screening determines your risk of developing certain cancers based on inherited genes that, when altered, are associated with cancer. The actual test is just a simple blood test. However, making the decision to be tested, and what to do with the results, is not simple at all.

Extra poundage could actually be worsening your asthma symptoms and preventing you from feeling great. The latest research confirms that there is indeed a connection between obesity and respiratory distress. While exactly how and why the two conditions are linked is still not completely understood yet, the fact that they are related is clear and makes a good case for the importance of losing that extra weight before it is too late.

Learn more about the science behind the surgery. Obesity is a major epidemic in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), two thirds of adults in the United States are obese. If you’re among these two thirds, your risk factor for type 2 diabetes is great—and in fact, you may have diabetes and be unaware.

Learn how to address the largest threats to your child's health. In the 2008 National Poll on Children's Health adults ranked obesity as the number one health concern. For this poll conducted by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital adults rated 20 health concerns for children in their communities along the following criteria: Big problem; somewhat of a problem; not much of a problem; and not a problem at all.

Learn more about the undeniable relationship between the two. The Link  In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) held a conference addressing the link between obesity and type 2 diabetes-due to the rising numbers of both in the United States. And as recently as the summer of 2008, Congress heard testimony from the American Diabetes Association on the same topic.

Learn more about the undeniable relationship between the two. The Link  In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) held a conference addressing the link between obesity and type 2 diabetes-due to the rising numbers of both in the United States. And as recently as the summer of 2008, Congress heard testimony from the American Diabetes Association on the same topic.

Learn about the important role that ethnicity plays in one’s chances of developing the disease. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) suggests that anyone 45 year old or older consider being tested for diabetes. They place a strong recommendation on being tested if you're of age and also overweight. And since the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) puts the number of Americans that are obese at over two thirds the population, many of us should be concerned about our risk.

There's no need to abandon carbs completely. It's all a matter of selecting the right ones. In the wake of popular protein-heavy diets such as South Beach and Atkins, some people still consider carbohydrates to be the enemy. But it's important to remember that there actually are two types of carbs: complex carbs and simple carbs, otherwise known as good carbs and bad carbs.

You might be tempted to try home cholesterol tests purchased from a pharmacy or online. But are they safe and accurate? When the heart's blood vessels become clogged with cholesterol, it sets the stage for a heart attack, and this year, nearly half a million Americans will die from heart disease, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). What's more, due in part to rising obesity rates and the popularity of fast food, heart-attack victims are getting younger and younger.

"Fast food" and "healthy": Is it possible for these two things to go together? If you've seen the movie Super Size Me, chances are, you may not have had a Big Mac since. In his 2004 documentary, Morgan Spurlock, inspired by troubling statistics on American obesity, relied on the shock value of a thirty-day McDonald's diet to show audiences what they already knew about fast food: that it's not healthy.

New research may be changing the way we view fat's relation to diabetes. Think fatty foods are bad for diabetics? A new study suggests that the opposite may be true: that extra fat in the buttocks and thighs may actually help prevent type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that injecting subcutaneous fat (fat just below the skin) into the abdomens of mice helped improve sensitivity to insulin.

Before you pop open a can, consider these more nutritious choices instead. As John Pemberton brewed up a batch of the first formulation of Coca-Cola in 1885, he probably never dreamed just how popular his drink would become. According to current company estimates, every day, distributors worldwide sell more than 1.4 billion servings of Coke, which Pemberton originally marketed as a health tonic capable of curing everything from headaches to morphine addiction.

Every year, more than 100,000 people undergo this popular weight-loss procedure. Is it right for you? Over the past decade, a slew of celebrities including singer Carnie Wilson, talk-show personality Star Jones, and NBC weatherman Al Roker have elected to undergo gastric bypass surgery to help manage their weight. The procedure, which involves stapling...

With these simple subtractions, you won't even notice the calories are gone. Rather than making drastic adjustments to your diet, you may be more successful at losing weight—and keeping it off—by making smaller changes. If you cut 100 calories a day, for example, you could lose a pound a month. It sounds simple enough, but where do those 100 calories come from? Follow these 10 easy suggestions to get started.

When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, some countries are making the grade, while others are falling dangerously behind. Ready for some startling statistics? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 350 million people worldwide are obese--a dangerous trend that may increase their risk for diabetes, heart disease, and even certain cancers. But fortunately, there's a flip side: Many international hotspots boast extremely low obesity rates.

Although obesity is a national problem, certain cities tip the scales more than others. Is your city making you fat? It may sound strange, but where you live probably plays a role in your weight. While obesity isn't confined to any one part of the country, some parts of the nation are heavier than others. In fact, one study by the University of Washington found that researchers were able to predict the prevalence of obesity simply by looking at zip codes.

Sure, your diet and exercise schedules can contribute to your weight. But who knew that your job could, too? Ever-improving technology has replaced manual labor at many American jobs, making sedentary lifestyles commonplace. A whopping 60 percent of the population is overweight or obese, and occupations that require little or no movement certainly haven't helped.

Do you find it difficult (and sometimes impossible) to skip dessert? If so, you're not alone. Obesity is on the rise in America, and the following ten desserts may have something to do with this national epidemic. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, more than 66 percent of U.S. adults are currently overweight, and 32 percent are obese. In fact, in 2007, Colorado was the only state that had a prevalence of obesity under 20 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Not getting enough z's? You could be doing serious damage to your health. With a long list of to-dos and not enough hours in the day, you might be tempted to skimp on the amount of z's you get. Besides, you can sleep when you're dead, right? But, if you sleep less than six or seven hours a night, death might come sooner than you think.

What really goes into your burger and fries? The answers may astonish you. A hamburger, fries, and a large strawberry shake. It's the recipe for an all-American meal—one on which we spend a whopping $124 billion dollars a year, according to the National Restaurant Association. In addition to contributing to the country's obesity epidemic, our penchant for fast food may be negatively affecting our health in other serious ways.

When you have a free afternoon do you go for a bike ride? Or do you sit in front of the TV? Your answer may reveal whether you're a couch potato. Although the term couch potato has become a joke, laziness has real, and potentially dangerous, repercussions. More than a quarter of Americans are obese, and heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. The risk of developing either condition can be reduced by becoming more active, which means a sedentary lifestyle can be a serious health risk.

Want to fall off the weight-control wagon? Just a few of these fattening foods are all it takes. You watch your weight. You cut back on snacks. You even hit the gym twice a week. But no matter how hard you try, the pounds come creeping back. The culprit? It could be one of these inflationary foods. Each is so fattening that just the occasional indulgence could result in major weight gain--even if you do everything else right.

These nine foods simply aren't fair to your diet. A day at the fair conjures up ideas of friends, family, fun...and very possibly, fried foods. Although the fair has much to offer in the way of rides and activities, the truth is, many people come mostly for the food. Some stands may offer healthy choices, but they're often overshadowed by the seemingly endless supply of funnel cakes and corn dogs.

Nearly six million people live with diabetes, but are unaware that they have the condition. Could you be one of them? While the exact cause of diabetes remains unknown, both genetics and environmental factors, such as obesity and lack of exercise, appear to play major roles. Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, which is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.

It may seem counterintuitive, but eating more of some foods can actually help you lose weight. Find out how. Eat more food, feel full all day long, and lose weight. It sounds too good to be true, like one of those fad diets that promises to help you shed 10 pounds while you watch TV. But this one is real. It's not that you can eat more Snickers, more pizza, or more sour-cream-and-onion potato chips.

If you're having trouble shedding extra pounds, the stresses of daily life could be the culprit. If you've ever polished off a pint of ice cream when you were under pressure or consumed a whole bag of chips when you were worried, it will come as no surprise that stress can lead to weight gain. And according to new research, stress puts people at increased risk for obesity because it not only prompts them to eat more, but also because it releases certain hormones that encourage the body to store fat.

Get the inside scoop on how certain countries manage to stay so slim. When it comes to obesity, it might seem as if America is tipping the scales-and for good reason. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States is the ninth fattest country in the world (second only to Kuwait and some South Pacific isles).

Could your state be decreasing your life expectancy? Find out if it's time to move. On average, an American can expect to enjoy about 78 years of life on this planet, according to a report by the United Nations. Factors such as genetic predisposition and lifestyle choices can extend or abbreviate this amount of time, but did you know that the area in which you live can play a part as well? Here, the states with the shortest life expectancies, as determined by the U.

Learn how to pinpoint and fix the seven sneakiest diet blunders. Dieting is a bit like walking a tightrope: easy to start but hard to stay on. And according to experts, the most common diet missteps are caused by things that might surprise you--your schedule, your friends, your shopping habits, even your clothes. While these sneaky saboteurs could derail your efforts, the good news is that you can stop them from undermining your long-term weight-loss goals.

Follow these tips to keep minor slip-ups from becoming major setbacks. You started your diet with the best of intentions, but then the inevitable occurred. You went to a party and polished off a plate of hors d'oeuvres. You took a trip to new city and splurged on the local fare. You woke up in the middle of the night and ate a whole pint of ice cream.

Some studies suggest our favorite foods might be as habit-forming as controlled substances. Whether you're constantly craving chocolate or have an uncontrollable urge for French fries, you probably think your food impulses are simply the result of hunger, boredom, or a lack of willpower. And some experts would agree—ultimately, you're in control of what you're eating.

Pizza and doughnuts and burgers, oh my! These all-American treats top the nutritional hall of shame. Fried chicken, cheeseburgers, milkshakes, candy bars--these tasty treats are as American as, well, apple pie. Unfortunately, so, too, is obesity. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, more than 66 percent of U.S. adults are currently overweight, and 32 percent are obese.

A healthy diet is essential to managing diabetes. Here, a complete guide to diabetic-friendly nutrition, including shopping tips, quick recipes, and more. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor has most likely stressed the importance of eating right to help keep your disease in check. Most experts agree that although there's no one correct diet for diabetes, people with the disease should follow the nutritional guidelines outlined in the USDA Food Pyramid.

How important is weight in determining good health? It's no secret that being fat and out of shape is a health hazard. But what if you're overweight and still physically fit? Does the fact that you're active eliminate the health risks of those extra pounds? And what if your best friend is a skinny couch potato? Which one of you is healthier? As it turns out, the "fat but fit" debate is a longstanding source of controversy among experts.

It's often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Find out why it's so important to get off to a good start. When you're hitting the snooze button for the third time, breakfast is probably one of the last things on your mind. After all, you still have to shower and then race to work in time to make that presentation. But according to experts, letting a hectic schedule force you to skip breakfast could compromise your health.

Some foods that seem healthy can be just as fattening as their obviously indulgent counterparts. Here are six that may be sneaking up on your waistline. Perhaps you've tried to cut calories by replacing regular soft drinks with diet sodas or by switching from subs to salads, but you haven't noticed any weight loss. You might be surprised by how quickly sneaky extras, such as lattes loaded with whip cream and bleu cheese salad dressing, can add up.

Following these simple tips can help you lower your cholesterol levels and your health risks. Everyone needs a basic amount of cholesterola waxy, fat-like substance found in all cells of the body to function. But if your cholesterol is at an unhealthy level, it could mean you have an increased risk of developing heart disease. What can you do to keep your cholesterol at or reduce it to healthy levels? Try these nine tips: Eat a hearty bowl of oatmeal for breakfast.

Even the biggest couch potatoes can learn to love exercise. For many of us, the word "workout" conjures images of profuse sweat, intense pain, and utter confusion. The good news: You don't have to be a natural exercise enthusiast to get in shape. Even the biggest couch potatoes can learn to love exercise. Just follow these six simple tips.

Heartburn—or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), if it occurs regularly—is a common digestive disorder that affects about 15 million Americans. Learn about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. The symptoms are all too familiar: a burning sensation just under the breastbone startles you awake in the middle of the night, or an unbearable acidic or sour taste in your mouth. Your stomach feels bloated, full. This scenario repeats itself for several nights, possibly over several weeks and months.