There is absolutely no reason for this level of negligence of our citizens, especially the ones most vulnerable.
Dropped gym classes linked to obesity surge (click here)
A survey's results prompts researchers to urge mandatory high school phys ed.
By MATTHEW CHUNG, CP
Ontario should consider changes to its high school physical education program, researchers said yesterday, after finding most students are dropping gym classes, raising fears of obesity in teens.... (click here for free article)
Obesity blamed for doubling rate of diabetes cases (click here)
By MIKE STOBBE – 1 day ago
ATLANTA (AP) — The nation's obesity epidemic is exacting a heavy toll: The rate of new diabetes cases nearly doubled in the United States in the past 10 years, the government said Thursday. The highest rates were in the South, according to the first state-by-state review of new diagnoses. The worst was in West Virginia, where about 13 in 1,000 adults were diagnosed with the disease in 2005-07. The lowest was in Minnesota, where the rate was 5 in 1,000.
Nationally, the rate of new cases climbed from about 5 per 1,000 in the mid-1990s to 9 per 1,000 in the middle of this decade.
Roughly 90 percent of cases are Type 2 diabetes, the form linked to obesity.
The findings dovetail with trends seen in obesity and lack of exercise — two health measures where Southern states also rank at the bottom.
"It isn't surprising the problem is heaviest in the South — no pun intended," agreed Matt Petersen, who oversees data and statistics for the American Diabetes Association....
U.S. Obesity Trends 1985–2007
During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. This slide set illustrates this trend by mapping the increased prevalence of obesity across each of the states.
In 2007, only one state (Colorado) had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty states had a prevalence equal to or greater than 25%; three of these states (Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee) had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30%.The animated map below shows the United States obesity prevalence from 1985 through 2007....
During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. This slide set illustrates this trend by mapping the increased prevalence of obesity across each of the states.
In 2007, only one state (Colorado) had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty states had a prevalence equal to or greater than 25%; three of these states (Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee) had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30%.The animated map below shows the United States obesity prevalence from 1985 through 2007....
Growing Trend: Fatty liver disease in children latest obesity risk (click here)
By Linda A. Johnson LINDA A. JOHNSON
Tuesday, October 07, 2008Story last updated at 10/7/2008 - 8:01 am
In a new and disturbing twist on the obesity epidemic, some overweight teenagers have severe liver damage caused by too much body fat. A handful, such as Irving Shaffino of Shallowater, have needed liver transplants.
Many more may need a new liver by their 30s or 40s, say experts warning that pediatricians need to be more vigilant. The condition, which can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure or liver cancer, is being seen in kids in the United States, Europe, Australia and even some developing countries, according to a surge of recent medical studies and doctors interviewed by The Associated Press.
The American Liver Foundation and other experts estimate 2 percent to 5 percent of American children older than 5, nearly all of them obese or overweight, have the condition, called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease....
By Linda A. Johnson LINDA A. JOHNSON
Tuesday, October 07, 2008Story last updated at 10/7/2008 - 8:01 am
In a new and disturbing twist on the obesity epidemic, some overweight teenagers have severe liver damage caused by too much body fat. A handful, such as Irving Shaffino of Shallowater, have needed liver transplants.
Many more may need a new liver by their 30s or 40s, say experts warning that pediatricians need to be more vigilant. The condition, which can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure or liver cancer, is being seen in kids in the United States, Europe, Australia and even some developing countries, according to a surge of recent medical studies and doctors interviewed by The Associated Press.
The American Liver Foundation and other experts estimate 2 percent to 5 percent of American children older than 5, nearly all of them obese or overweight, have the condition, called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease....
Organ transplants
The gap between supply and demand (click here)
Oct 9th 2008From The Economist print edition
As demand for life-saving transplant surgery grows, the idea of paying donors is gaining support
The gap between supply and demand (click here)
Oct 9th 2008From The Economist print edition
As demand for life-saving transplant surgery grows, the idea of paying donors is gaining support
“PLEASE don’t take your organs to heaven,” reads the American bumper sticker. “Heaven knows that we need them here on earth.” Last year more than 7,000 Americans died while awaiting an organ transplant—almost double the number of American soldiers killed in Iraq since 2003. In Europe, too, thousands of people whose lives could be extended or transformed (by having sight restored, for example) through transplants forfeit the opportunity for want of available organs.
Research by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has found that only one in ten people in need of a new kidney, the body part most in demand, manages to get one. In the poorest places, of course, a complex transplant—which in the American health system costs $500,000—is unthinkable for most people anyway. But the gap between supply and demand for organs affects the poor too, by creating a market in body parts where abuses are rife....
Research by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has found that only one in ten people in need of a new kidney, the body part most in demand, manages to get one. In the poorest places, of course, a complex transplant—which in the American health system costs $500,000—is unthinkable for most people anyway. But the gap between supply and demand for organs affects the poor too, by creating a market in body parts where abuses are rife....
New battle for obese teens: liver disease (click here)
Pediatricians are warned to be vigilant about link
By LINDA A. JOHNSON Associated Press
Sept. 7, 2008, 11:21PM
TRENTON, N.J. — In a new and disturbing twist on the obesity epidemic, some overweight teenagers have severe liver damage caused by too much body fat, and a handful have needed liver transplants.
Many more may need a new liver by their 30s or 40s, say experts warning that pediatricians need to be more vigilant. The condition, which can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure or liver cancer, is being seen in kids in the U.S., Europe, Australia and even some developing countries, according to a surge of recent medical studies and doctors interviewed.
The American Liver Foundation and other experts estimate 2 percent to 5 percent of American children over age 5, nearly all of them obese or overweight, have the condition, called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease....
Many more may need a new liver by their 30s or 40s, say experts warning that pediatricians need to be more vigilant. The condition, which can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure or liver cancer, is being seen in kids in the U.S., Europe, Australia and even some developing countries, according to a surge of recent medical studies and doctors interviewed.
The American Liver Foundation and other experts estimate 2 percent to 5 percent of American children over age 5, nearly all of them obese or overweight, have the condition, called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease....
