The Yale Rudd Center offers continually updated Front Burner News, bringing you the latest developments and updates in the field of obesity, food policy, and weight discrimination. http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/rssfeed http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST FeedForAll v2.0 (2.0.2.9) http://www.feedforall.com 6cf37721-e9c3-47fe-ac62-b02ee328b136 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST 0d998153-b3e1-44c1-9bbf-6ce5f3ccc5b2 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST c049fd55-f177-4e85-8305-24749f86f44d Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST fda07cfb-ebb2-4f25-bdb9-69119aa5858b Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST 1aaf78b8-d6e3-4edd-a836-c24e44a9880d Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST d3669c74-5016-4899-9f4b-76bcd4a7244b Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST 2c014d81-2777-4cbe-ac95-ee2302df70c4 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 6fb77264-c5c8-4638-a4d7-86ad0aafffcd Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 33e51356-65dc-4383-912c-57e71bf9a5bb Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 8adca6f9-fc29-46ac-aa71-77fc43dc46fc Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 38a3f7c2-1f32-4240-b8e2-fe6922dfe113 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST d1ef9bb4-bf9c-490d-83ec-aa845bcf3350 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST b0e58652-563b-4418-ab62-7462295729fb Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 3b5d1da6-3928-4247-aed5-67915cf9ad60 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 0ccbf7c9-8102-47d7-8050-57e361b9dec6 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST b82d2c2e-f366-4193-b205-0395db12c25b Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 7509d2ed-0d6c-48ea-94fb-21b1f94911c5 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 4603e750-e5b2-4afc-b4d5-ac4721016969 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 8c65fcd8-09c9-4f68-89c8-0d4a3a6d0c5e Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 50513930-5121-4297-a659-ea2c3d9dd14d Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST a9d2e349-3f5e-4918-be03-e58dbc85c737 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 1bad6d28-ebda-4444-8912-20bfda5d87ae Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 7f7316a1-532b-4807-a1c2-44c491e73e0b Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 8c2aff15-b39a-4f1b-98df-3bbefd342b23 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 5e7dca0a-6244-4a8d-bdb0-7f963779c7ee Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 14e41dc6-13eb-4a46-a190-e2721f1711f9 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 103804a7-c5ae-4c61-b03e-431f0292c031 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 5a6210a5-671c-4938-b799-6f4a70c17da8 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST bc12ef75-d090-413c-bbab-78de7bb3b8fb Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 5c85639a-b0ad-4fb3-8706-d42e6eaad55f Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST bb91fe4e-b27a-48e9-9c90-a547abd336f5 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 12380a75-e89d-4c95-98cb-5ebaf264b70d Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 5f7fce29-50df-41e0-8f82-9e0eff945f79 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 9723b8c3-f85f-412e-8d4d-a8efb371614e Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 7986af01-ffc6-4d14-a58e-f95294877e63 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 529c7b79-f2cd-4464-9f5a-86103e1984eb Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 416657b8-f870-4dde-8309-daf011901a49 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST cebca442-a9a3-4bcb-b9e3-c6058ece6af3 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 571e4154-42b4-4623-b8ae-0d78517fd1f7 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST f3b7f6b1-1b15-454d-bce7-404e89825460 Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 EST f045d495-ae23-4c35-8eaa-21cb46c45423 Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 70ad37ea-f620-49ae-93fe-9680d3c3ded6 Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 1d578eca-3180-4af5-8abe-d8979f4d5457 Wed, 27 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 722bbc47-92a8-486e-9fa3-59db5a1bdb4d Wed, 27 May 2009 00:00:00 EST aa417f75-89d0-44a6-bbd3-029609c7081e Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 EST ab6da4db-c726-4396-98a2-6c5fbb502262 Sun, 24 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 74d6c85e-7d00-40ab-b145-ee5f6c9800e5 Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 9375e763-c73c-4d9f-a886-bf80f8670fc6 Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 EST b628e523-4fe8-424e-b0cd-25351933fe82 Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 68564652-02e6-4cf1-8241-0d6f2782dc4b Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 37c5d7fb-e217-4ecc-b49a-914eec92932a Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 EST b67a1657-0a67-4461-a39a-43a3024e8046 Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 752476f7-4c60-4897-ade7-4d83c4d1b896 Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 EST c5e819f3-753a-467b-8e53-ddc000e4ce1e Mon, 18 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 425dc50f-503d-48e0-8800-42848c742d70 Sat, 16 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 094c78d7-9456-4bb8-aeaf-69e9658f047b Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 09bbb1d9-fa5a-444b-84fa-7008b5e6b256 Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 61b19eb1-1246-4c14-bf65-82fdf1fa5349 Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 31d53b8e-52fa-437d-84a3-7c8c23b9ff28 Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 EST ebf29d32-2ba2-4e9d-801c-214f8ca0a6c3 Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 810b351c-544a-4671-9f85-9ee8f1d2fa45 Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 9cd586bf-833d-4cce-a7c2-009f8ff37815 Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 699e7919-fd27-4c3a-8b7a-6cdf30df4898 Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 51a3e7e8-3bed-421c-98ac-9e9bea4f1018 Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 17b03b85-ac5c-48cc-81b2-6b247fffe1b4 Sat, 09 May 2009 00:00:00 EST df78d345-2150-4777-bf0a-1f87665b0f74 Thu, 07 May 2009 00:00:00 EST f405d3ab-5f31-492e-9107-4497482a71a7 Wed, 06 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 0f1c8488-b612-4b6a-a554-630158af8263 Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 6698b7ba-716b-4272-8c0f-c800da5e0a89 Sun, 03 May 2009 00:00:00 EST bd7744e5-7ccb-4517-9082-77d82e207312 Sun, 03 May 2009 00:00:00 EST df1e3007-c1b0-4991-9328-0a4e168dafd2 Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 30b78f93-19eb-4b9c-92d4-8d31e3e26ba1 Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 9889b93a-61ae-4af2-9f18-614ecb1283e3 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 926904e9-d6fc-4dc6-baa6-5722a848a977 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST ab22dd94-7496-4dbd-b34a-45604796c4dd Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 7e3c1629-e2a6-458a-8bea-e39313f653e1 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 23bc389b-ae5f-4143-92ce-4b50e93e6ab6 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 7387ea27-bdcd-4e7a-91b5-8b75c1c67679 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 98822a1a-00cc-448f-9fd2-b7121e03539e Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 13c070cf-46bc-489d-b482-8e7ef47677d1 Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 37893e15-86f4-440c-81ca-f91aaf7e36ef Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST f1d40889-04a8-4787-a0cd-902112ff7183 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 89ecef86-7dc2-4f15-be3a-6d99bc96bdce Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST b5adc95c-931b-41ca-b043-678424deb4cc Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 06e48e84-29a0-4fb3-945e-33b341bb4ade Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST fd6ffb98-18b6-4594-ab2f-c87e93337127 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST dad95d2f-5263-452e-8d41-595822d77fd9 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 74657e85-4685-4542-b5d2-f0366c1fb318 Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST bff8e156-3948-45ed-b9c2-40427f000a42 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 6bd7994c-c0b5-4858-beb5-f87e8c292997 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 0b72148e-458f-4a4a-a016-9c9eb5b08653 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST b53e05ff-e60d-4c4a-ad10-76f32f11e30f Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 15ad5556-e077-49b7-b7a5-2df0b6da53b4 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 4f60643d-ebd5-4054-9461-339bb42b96db Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 2b1572cd-bd0b-4862-8fae-b114b3efdf56 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 87702e69-f124-4121-927a-8c5c1dcb9804 Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST ac1c6953-444d-41e0-8b42-e49ddafbae5f Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 22058cbb-a5be-43e6-a920-9c0e99b92039 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 692466f3-b582-417a-8b89-4270c52d6a25 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 27d17987-2507-4b4b-8254-eecb576bc2fd Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST dab6872c-32e0-4f47-9aa0-4cbe0d8e1ef6 Sat, 04 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 74938cf1-ec48-465e-a273-d54569d8c09f Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 2166fdf1-713a-4bce-b268-176c301f75db Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 3b2b0717-5a47-4d30-8277-df4e19ba3a13 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST de29996a-42fc-4fd8-913a-843e19e29b70 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 1572e202-2f78-447a-81ee-146f50cc210d Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 9ed04897-92a6-4ecb-9d73-42b37721069d Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 481cfc27-d138-42d7-bf25-721e5c9a3380 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST b070e5d5-4bbe-4558-84fe-778746f3feab Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 3d36f7ef-652b-4302-b0e0-9060f925290e Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST ec5a1875-6067-4db9-aa46-f3f7819fe0f4 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST f9ef233f-e7e1-45df-82a4-2245a6696c4f Sun, 22 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST f04d9770-e5fa-4599-9404-6963b934b5ce Sun, 22 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 83faac02-5694-40af-a94a-f537c927cca1 Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 267b79a8-3453-4e94-8b6c-59ad34f6f30b Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 7e70a263-d20c-4a7f-a384-5265a9677f82 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 2e9db041-7a26-4b5c-9e8b-a504a0c77485 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 1cc07902-8fc5-42d6-bd35-63da4613ab92 Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 8ca011b3-ad55-40df-a04a-522d5f2dafca Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST b8068d69-cd79-49cd-b8a2-6278823739e9 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST c82b7cd4-f766-4cee-9106-d80d4924ef7f Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST c224267e-9252-4686-b6c2-07699b8efc6c Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 3512486d-6836-494a-9403-0deee8411410 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST fad11b35-beb7-4264-a348-9d15e71ca360 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 5bd0a98e-6fa0-479f-9855-607a5ce1bbc1 Sun, 08 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST f9789378-7834-4dda-a3fa-a67210c9e780 Sat, 07 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 0c23b323-d5f8-46be-ab46-dcfa849fd070 Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST a8ed51ad-af95-4cf6-9ad1-e62b943daa42 Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 7a1d2c62-3905-4e7b-9613-b3acd456a68d Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST d87149b6-dabb-410b-9b32-f95faaa388b8 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 2243ec39-05e7-4156-b43c-1680b7747997 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 26f12bdd-97a1-49a8-ba4a-bd8d1e2a9d95 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 4f061e5c-b790-43ba-b328-ff7d1bd7c1f6 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 03867250-46c7-4592-86f7-430b28c97023 Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 3806819b-9554-469a-a1ff-18bafde7c90e Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 495d7446-212a-4022-ae92-c6f47232b66a Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST dc0be542-bae4-4843-89fe-9f2aa35fc709 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 48292fc1-884c-4356-addc-0870462c2326 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 65321ad6-e052-43b9-addd-bfef2851a229 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST c5f9126e-38e7-4d3f-83f8-128bef9dc3ef Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST c62e7dfe-9bf1-4859-9135-587bc62a5546 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 38256091-b923-4ada-830a-a14a78bf8f59 Sat, 21 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 8b819a04-3f68-4daf-97e4-8925b23cef9c Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 147c2366-1b2f-4b6d-ac0f-25502e262c4d Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 0dbfe237-a8f6-4d3f-8e7d-bc8c7dd637ce Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST f9409065-f17c-41a3-9233-9f15929b01f6 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 1b5539f2-d4a0-4206-8b6c-3f8c691dc838 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 228a627b-ec22-42aa-9cf1-0e53e0e810a4 Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 74ae6450-9fe2-405d-a5a6-83863f845272 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 3c978d6e-ef22-48a3-be7f-99ae97233059 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST ccc15b3d-cfae-44e7-bd1c-1255d7262729 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 0c872913-62d0-4a27-adca-abcb5cd46548 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 008d4a87-ef39-42b2-8f8a-a9f07863666d Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 510bbdf9-50d2-40b8-a910-83f1222b4ca5 Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST e4722e7f-e1ba-4501-919b-29c945bc03bf Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 0acad62a-18f7-40d1-b96b-02ab33c840c0 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 7bd09bcb-9bfb-4bc1-b1a6-64524e41c02b Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 818a019e-2954-4912-8a39-e02c7c5bca4c Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST e2c3cce0-590d-4b47-a5ce-61b2180b8ab4 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 0ca8315d-99db-49b6-a794-8e622e22813a Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 2a7a52f6-c429-491a-87b5-2dc1e4a38179 Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 3756fc5f-823c-4ae9-9c7a-ea16c999e0dd Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 8425c33b-fbeb-4b69-8771-975f4a99020b Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 4f284b07-c07c-443a-8c1e-1ed87069fd7f Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 4588b91d-56d5-49df-8219-1db4172f09d0 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 2ca2093d-d8c6-4855-b88c-483d0025472f Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 8d38c666-afd9-43d3-973d-141dd947d98b Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 76b43f4d-c5e8-4ca4-90db-bff1860402dc Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST d4b4b11c-9052-471e-af47-3008d7bc34ab Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST d272736d-9550-4e3c-958d-4d7e8b1f8839 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 9a919b46-8000-4436-b16d-045bcd5462c6 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST f7a2c84b-78c1-400e-8ade-8adfe3be6967 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 6bee8744-0789-4d6e-a6f3-821efed6fc2f Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 94416d5b-4c19-432b-9016-1273169b2650 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 4ffe87e5-c18e-4c69-8722-b465b18f0b37 Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 55eb1277-8945-4fc7-bcc4-0e08b6129f4e Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 339ca323-4e4a-487c-bf05-dc2e6c9eba73 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 44b04177-fee1-4b00-8378-69ecbc7b4584 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 179eaff5-f7a0-40bb-a524-ec35cd96c07e Sun, 04 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST d9866672-42af-4e41-bfc6-6390484d11df Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 567f8fa3-d6cd-4419-a1cd-a75498e2e95c Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 835da815-04dc-4e1f-a8ba-bd556e60e5ae Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST 84264147-ef98-4db2-840a-ea5005456e34 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST 208b7454-6eff-49e0-b75c-73d577d5fbc8 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST 5b34baa9-6bdd-421e-9ef9-46b3e162f0f8 Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST f17bb271-0e77-4807-8acb-7d048c1349f0 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST 7f46eec2-931d-4305-bca1-a481ea776209 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST a00e98bd-7c04-4078-bc5f-9b6257d0c243 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST 74f3da96-cd0c-4091-a6e9-60db2a189437 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST 988f3dc4-574d-47ff-be23-7fb0c303b3b3 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST 53d3222e-2855-4d24-9176-df1c626168be Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST 268ef91e-77a3-4153-b39d-ac77944a7ff4 Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST 1180a33e-df9d-46aa-9c29-109b5330f75f Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST 3adb63ee-c84e-4c13-a429-0b942907f5f9 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST 4ea06b20-f611-4c43-aaf0-2711761063e7 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST 3fc9d7a9-8559-40a5-bb95-d784438653cc Sun, 07 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST b9196b00-cac3-4790-a007-9cf50902dbeb Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST a83fd20d-01b5-405f-b607-2d78c0f65edb Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST a6238afb-e998-4368-ba62-4b6e8c2854db Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST 8aeff835-44b5-4166-a743-74a11ecbbef2 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST af769e52-9626-465e-917e-f4a32d8ad827 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST 54a3b2f9-4c43-46e5-b872-88dfbbd0a7f7 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST 25bdb0ba-e78c-4dcf-b77a-1dcd1546921b Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST Researchers believe that one’s genetic composition is an important contributor to obesity. The fetal environment in which a baby grows has the capacity to “silence” certain genes and therefore prevent successive generations of obesity. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7508034.stm 83B08DDF-3B5C-4A71-AAF4-1CBA74FDD610 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:29:48 -0400 Despite a weakening U.S. economy, Americans continue to support a $23 billion domestic dessert industry. Cookies, cakes and pies are among Americans’ favorite treats, while healthy alternatives such as yogurt parfaits and fruit trays are simultaneously growing in popularity. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25561551/from/ET/ E1BF07B2-3098-4EE6-ADD4-16BAAAD70EEC Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:29:28 -0400 A recent longitudinal study shows that children drastically decrease their daily physical activity during the transitional years between childhood and puberty. Decline in exercise occurs among teenagers across a variety of demographic backgrounds, regardless of family income, race, or geographic location. http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=5379694&page=1 FB112965-DCEA-4959-BCB6-8A915B8470EE Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:29:12 -0400 An elementary school in Liverpool, England is aiming to reduce childhood obesity by forbidding children to bring lunch from home. School children will instead have the option of going home for lunch, or of dining on a healthy school-provided lunch prepared in one of the largest kosher kitchens in the country. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2302909/School-bans-packed-lunches-to-fight-obesity.html 6008C497-A0DC-4802-9913-17642214A002 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:28:52 -0400 Menu labeling, which requires chain restaurants to post calorie information on their menus, has taken effect in New York City, setting a public policy precedent for the rest of the country. Fast-food and restaurant chains may be fined up to $2,000 if calorie counts are not displayed on menus in the same font and format as the name or price of food items. http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1847047920080720 812985C8-3CD7-45B8-A487-7B9BCC5CD338 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:28:34 -0400 A report by the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shows that obesity in the United States continued to grow over 2007 and now affects more than a quarter of adults nationwide. The report reveals that not a single state has achieved the official target to reduce obesity to 15 percent by 2010. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iDFx3lT3AFWnvzp9FPqt-ZclbElQ 49A1DFCA-F458-40A3-93CB-192FC73FBB48 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:43:34 -0400 One fifth of pregnant women in the United States are obese, and doctors have begun to remodel their examination rooms accordingly with equipment that can hold the extra weight. Doctors often must alter examination techniques and treatments for obese patients who already carry higher risks of health problems for the mother and child before, during and after birth. Contrary to past recommendations, many doctors now recommend that obese women lose weight during pregnancy. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/magazine/13wwln-essay-t.html?_r=2&ref=magazine&oref=slogin&oref=slogin 4A027136-A874-4560-BFF8-2E5D6C93B2B1 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:43:20 -0400 Hospitals in Victoria, Australia are losing billions of dollars due to rising obesity rates. Larger, more expensive equipment needed to accommodate obese patients reduces space for other beds and patients, and hospital staff members report more injuries from handling heavier patients. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24010141-2862,00.html F71E43EC-E8CF-4AFD-9610-A8584536C79F Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:42:52 -0400 A study led by researchers at Harvard University shows that cheap anti-inflammatory drugs, similar to aspirin, can alleviate symptoms of obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Researchers explain that fat tissue causes inflammation in cells throughout the body, which in turn can damage blood vessels and muscle. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/earth/2008/07/14/sciobese114.xml F1095279-194D-48E6-9BB2-80C3E5757377 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:42:25 -0400 A Canadian researcher used guidelines developed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest to examine 367 food products aimed at children in the United States. The research concluded that 62% of the products were classified as having “poor nutritional quality,” yet still made positive claims about the nutritional value of the product. These findings raise concern that parents may be incorrectly assessing the quality of the food they purchase for their children. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714102439.htm 4236A394-119C-474A-BDD0-BAFC219E49B9 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:42:08 -0400 Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry is advocating a moratorium of fast food restaurants in the South Central area, where currently 45% of all restaurants are fast food chains. Councilwoman Perry believes that prohibiting additional fast food restaurants to enter South Central, L.A. could help to keep obesity rates from increasing further, and would make room for grocery stores and organic food outlets to enter the community and meet growing demand for fresher, healthier dining options. http://www.yahoo.com/s/917423 C239A90C-32AE-4B5D-AAFF-226DBD55C75B Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:41:28 -0400 A bill that proposes to the use trans fats in restaurants and food service facilities has been approved by the California state legislature and sent to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for consideration. The law has garnered tremendous support from California doctor and consumer groups that point to the strong correlation between consumption of trans fats and health dangers such as weight gain and heart disease. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/15/MN0111OTUA.DTL B0DC921B-9C68-4714-87F0-27D3B8399206 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:41:17 -0400 A recent study by researchers in The Netherlands reveals that people who choose to eat chips from smaller sized bags are likely to consume more food overall than individuals who take portions from a larger bag. As a possible explanation, scientists posit that people who chose smaller bags of chips may have believed that they did not need to exercise much self control due to the fixed portion size, and in turn they were less conscious of their overall consumption. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7485592.stm 7D57DC00-2B2F-42C6-9294-538DFA19E62E Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:49:04 -0400 A survey of over 220 British food outlets in leisure facilities reports that many food offerings contain significantly more fat, protein, and salt than the recommended dietary guidelines outlined by the School Food Trust. Experts call for more healthy choices at food outlets; action from food producers; and a shift in marketing and advertising as means of slowing the obesity epidemic. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7483197.stm 4F228D7C-F544-4700-94B5-1C4C03195BDA Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:48:33 -0400 A new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology reveals that overweight and obese adolescents are significantly more likely to die of heart disease, colon cancer or respiratory disease by middle age than their normal weight peers. http://www.pcrm.org/news/archive080701.html 7AC779B0-E32A-4C4E-9833-DE458CE617C8 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:46:57 -0400 People who live in communities with accessible sidewalks and walking paths are more likely to engage in the recommended amount of daily exercise than those whose “built environment” necessitates driving or the use of less active modes of transportation to reach everyday destinations. http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=26062c59-7d5a-4c69-8e90-3451584489a1 CA9BC279-6841-4D7F-A461-C9AF7786F533 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:46:35 -0400 Scientists have found a gene that, when slightly mutated, causes abnormalities in hormone levels that control appetite and increase obesity risk. Approximately one in four Caucasian individuals has the mutation, and scientists hope that the discovery of this and other obesity-linked genes will prove helpful in creating biological treatments. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/earth/2008/07/07/scigene107.xml 6748E321-F7FF-4FA4-A44A-BE2BFF02093A Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:45:50 -0400 Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who do not take medication are 1.5 times more likely to be overweight than their peers. At the same time, children with ADHD who do take medication have an elevated risk of being underweight. Doctors are not sure of the cause and effect relationship, but warn parents and pediatricians to be wary of the weight of children who have the condition. http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2008/07/07/adhd-might-raise-kids-obesity-risk.html 0B7195C0-7708-4FC4-A555-AB1F26330AAB Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:44:58 -0400 Acomplia, an anti-obesity drug developed by Sanofi-Aventis, has been associated with five deaths and 720 adverse drug reactions in the United Kingdom, according to reports by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The drug has been approved by the European Union, but rejected by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States because of correlations to depression in some patients. http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/06/04/afx5078340.html 4C9FE86A-4937-4C8E-AC39-9B7AEC86A139 Wed, 4 Jun 2008 18:55:36 -0400 Researchers from the Universities of Aberdeen and Maastricht have discovered that contrary to popular opinion, individuals' daily levels of activity have not decreased significantly over the past 20 years. The finding that people currently burn approximately the same number of calories each day as they have for the last 20 years points to changes in food consumption, rather than an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, as the primary driver of the obesity epidemic. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2074518/Obesity-epidemic-%27not-caused-by-idleness%27.html 3FC2DC4E-9B14-4AFC-8E3E-4A0C0C7DFDAF Wed, 4 Jun 2008 18:55:14 -0400 A recent study on worms suggests that, regardless of consumption levels, the neurotransmitter serotonin acts independently to control eating, digestion and the body’s metabolic processes. The study suggests that one’s nervous system is a key regulator of body weight, and that fat metabolism, rather than food intake, is the most important factor in determining whether a person will be under- or overweight. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/04/AR2008060402890.html F70A78D3-3AA7-4639-8651-D3D3262FC5E4 Wed, 4 Jun 2008 18:54:40 -0400 A charity called CLIC Sargent recently conducted a survey of the food served to children in cancer wards and found that three-quarters of parents and care-takers are critical of the meals served to young patients. The majority of those questioned described the food in cancer wards as "unappealing," "unsuitable for sick children" or "poorly prepared.” Several doctors, including a Professor of Pediatric Oncology at the University of Bristol, emphasized the importance of a good diet during treatment in ensuring the health and well-being outcomes children with cancer. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7431873.stm B28D8038-157A-4025-8EF3-B1912BFDA17E Wed, 4 Jun 2008 18:53:59 -0400 A study by researchers at Indiana University examined weight and activity levels of 56 people, ages 23 to 61, and found that 80 percent of desk-bound employees in their study were overweight or obese. The findings, which were presented at the annual conference of the American College of Sports Medicine, also report that employees with sedentary jobs experienced a lower quality of life than the general population. http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Health/2008/06/02/desk_jobs_linked_to_overweight_obesity/4749/ BB523780-FA29-4D4D-8666-4EE6B55E094D Wed, 4 Jun 2008 18:53:42 -0400 Arlington Heights school district, in a suburb of Chicago, has announced a ban on sweets at students’ classroom birthday celebrations. The school superintendent reports that treats will be permitted on certain occasions, including Halloween and Valentine's Day, but that banning birthday cakes and cupcakes will make an important contribution to the district's effort to combat childhood obesity. http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/strange/news-article.aspx?storyid=110411&catid=82 EF8ED676-3AB6-4B01-A54E-413AB03C5D37 Wed, 4 Jun 2008 18:51:53 -0400 Data analyzed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that childhood obesity rates in the United States may have hit a plateau after decades of continuous rises. The data, based on a survey of over 8,000 children aged between two and 19, have been met with caution by some public health experts. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7423981.stm 543BB05A-5C69-4C8D-A445-F64F21A7747C Wed, 4 Jun 2008 18:46:19 -0400 Rising food prices are driving consumers to cut costs by cooking more with canned lunch meats, such as Spam, instead of expensive cuts of meat. Consumers say that processed foods like Spam, which is a pork meat in a can, help to stretch a household food budget. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080528/ap_on_bi_ge/spam_sales AAC3D133-24BA-41F7-886A-A36B6CC5E278 Wed, 4 Jun 2008 18:46:00 -0400 Food prices are rising faster than they have in nearly 20 years. As a result, school cafeterias are cutting back on the use of nutritious ingredients, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole wheat flour, and turning instead to nutrient-poor alternatives like canned fruit and white flour. The School Nutrition Association warns that the nation’s schools are losing $13 million dollars a day due to rising food costs, and that the nation’s children may be more likely to suffer nutrition deficits as a result. http://www.yahoo.com/s/887772 179572C4-DB6E-4723-8F6E-7D1E8AF03D55 Wed, 4 Jun 2008 18:45:36 -0400 An article published this week in the Lancet reports that over a 20-year period, Chinese patients who received a six-year lifestyle intervention had a 43% lower rate of diabetes than patients who did not. The onset of diabetes was also delayed in the intervention group by an average of 3.6 years, according to the article. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/Diabetes/tb/9592 9904621B-1E11-4559-8BB2-61C59EF926B4 Wed, 4 Jun 2008 18:45:20 -0400 A year-long study by researchers at the Cardiff Institute of Society, Health and Ethics has found that peer pressure influences eating habits in young people. Most notably, children who attended schools which had "no junk food" or "fruit only” policies were more willing to eat fruit as a snack at school, since they and their peers were not tempted by or permitted to eat unhealthy snacks. The study highlights the importance of peer modeling in forming eating preferences, and emphasizes the need for schools to put junk food bans in effect as necessary health interventions. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/7397157.stm E389D75B-B7B2-4DD3-A018-7DFED176B18C Fri, 16 May 2008 12:18:22 -0400 Medco Health Solutions Inc. reports that more than half of all insured Americans are taking prescription medicines regularly for chronic health problems. The most widely used drugs are those intended to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol -- problems often linked to heart disease, obesity and diabetes. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Medication-Nation.html?scp=3&sq=obesity&st=nyt 91382F84-6218-4310-BFAD-8E7B6C8558C2 Fri, 16 May 2008 12:17:56 -0400 A study by researchers at the University of Toronto offers evidence that genetics may help to explain why some people consume more sugary foods than others. Researchers found that a variation in the GLUT2 gene is associated with a higher intake of sugars among different populations. The findings may partly explain variations in personal preference for sugary foods. http://foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?id=85265 5E3E3507-3F70-4464-88D1-DA7DA19CE2D8 Fri, 16 May 2008 12:17:25 -0400 A series of studies by U.S. researchers show that exposure in the womb to common chemicals, such as those used to make plastic bottles and pizza box liners, may result in obesity later in life. Thus far, the data come from rodent studies and have not yet been replicated in humans. Nonetheless, the findings suggest that some people may be programmed to obesity before birth, underscoring the need to identify biomarkers that scientists and medical experts can use to recognize people who are at risk for adult obesity. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080514/sc_nm/obesity_chemicals_dc;_ylt=Ask.Jdo6nQjuXValsSQsJf7VJRIF 8FC4599B-68EE-4AAE-9413-725568FA763B Fri, 16 May 2008 12:17:05 -0400 Nintendo’s gaming system the Wii is the best-selling game machine of the current generation, with worldwide sales topping 25 million. The traditional Wii system, which offers interactive games such as bowling, tennis and boxing, became so popular as an exercise device that Nintendo is releasing a new gaming system called Wii Fit, designed to encourage physical activity through push-ups, yoga, and aerobics. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/15/fashion/15fitness.html?scp=1&sq=avatar&st=nyt 9020671F-1A9C-4829-B122-91423A59890D Fri, 16 May 2008 12:16:42 -0400 In a letter in the medical journal the Lancet, British researchers claim that growing rates of obesity contribute significantly to greater oil consumption, more food production and higher release of greenhouse gases. Many nutrition and obesity experts criticized the Lancet letter for its rationale flaws and expressed the need not to blame obese individuals for environmental decline. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Diet/story?id=4865889&page=1 B321B06A-3F21-4449-8E78-551B2949EBEF Fri, 16 May 2008 12:16:21 -0400 More than half the population of Australia is overweight, according to an obesity expert who recently spoke before a federal parliamentary health committee. Health officials point to obesity as the "underlying cause" of many health complaints treated by public hospitals, including heart conditions, diabetes and birth complications. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23684894-662,00.html 9F746F83-2250-479A-8C5E-F1E53B0480A9 Mon, 12 May 2008 17:50:07 -0400 Diabetes Australia, the national body for diabetes prevention in Australia, recently sat before the Federal Parliamentary Committee to stress the importance of government-funded long-term strategies to combat obesity. Health experts noted that the annual cost of obesity in 2005 was $25 billion, and that the House of Representatives Health Committee must make significant policy to improve nutrition and activity, and to prevent the health care system from collapsing. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/12/2242348.htm 5705D272-E691-4319-8552-352FE55E54C7 Mon, 12 May 2008 17:49:49 -0400 Study findings presented at a joint meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies and Asian Society for Pediatric Research suggest that childhood and adolescent obesity negatively impacts vascular endothelial function, which relates to cardiac health. The authors of the study found that obesity in children and adolescents negatively impacts their endothelial function, which has serious implications for heart disease. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/107006.php A916903F-8249-4E41-A118-3E2E927E15D4 Mon, 12 May 2008 17:49:24 -0400 A new government study has found that people who sleep fewer than six or more than nine hours a night are more likely to be obese than their peers who receive adequate amounts of sleep. The study – one of the largest ever to document the link between poor sleep and being overweight – also links irregular sleeping to higher smoking rates, less physical activity and greater alcohol use. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/07/AR2008050701381.html B1B0857E-5B7D-4057-90BE-BD9A51E477A0 Thu, 8 May 2008 15:32:36 -0400 An "urban agriculture movement" is growing vigorously in such cities as New York, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Oakland, where determined gardeners are turning vacant lots into breeding grounds for produce to sell to neighbors. City farmers provide much needed relief for low-income populations with high rates of obesity and diabetes yet severely limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/dining/07urban.html?scp=3&sq=obesity&st=nyt 99571E23-2BB6-485E-BB54-4A19DB08F25C Thu, 8 May 2008 15:32:07 -0400 A research team led by Imperial College London has found that a gene sequence linked to weight gain and type 2 diabetes is more common in Indian Asians than other groups. This finding suggests a genetic explanation for notably high levels of obesity in Indian Asians, who comprise a quarter of the world's population, yet account for a much greater proportion of global cardiovascular disease. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7385212.stm 90EF3A7F-3FE3-4360-81DC-B2B299339947 Thu, 8 May 2008 15:31:31 -0400 According to scientists at Glasgow University, a pattern of binge eating followed by crash dieting may have adverse effects on longevity. Researchers observed that stickleback fish following a “binge then restrict” diet pattern exhibited a reduced lifespan of up to 25%. The researchers caution that these findings could be extrapolated to humans, and could have implications for teenagers and children who follow extreme patterns of dieting. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7373509.stm 45C16540-8E67-4FF0-A4B0-EFC387DA4ABA Thu, 8 May 2008 15:22:03 -0400 Researchers from two public health advocacy groups based in California have found that obesity and diabetes rates are much higher in neighborhoods that have a high concentration of fast-food outlets and convenience stores, compared to areas where fresh fruit and vegetable markets and full-service grocery stores are easily accessible. The researchers found a very strong link" between chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes and living in a neighborhood with a high retail food environment index, which means a high density of convenience stores and fast-food outlets and a low density of supermarkets and produce vendors. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/healthscience/stories/043008dnnatfastfood.24f4a15.html E0EA3F61-D486-49BF-8535-41C90AE30A6F Thu, 8 May 2008 15:21:29 -0400 A government survey reports that the initiation of breast-feeding is at an all-time high in the United States, with approximately 77 percent of new mothers breast-feeding their infants, for at least a brief period of time. This increase in breast-feeding can be partly attributed to a campaign by medical experts and government officials to educate mothers about the benefits of breast-feeding and the risks associated with infant formula. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/health/research/01breast.html?scp=1&sq=mothers+breast+feed&st=nyt 62CBB5A2-3E0B-4E60-A3C3-0A9F7B66A4D8 Thu, 8 May 2008 15:21:09 -0400 Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm report that adults maintain the same number of fat cells in their body even after significant weight loss. The researchers studied fat samples from liposuction and abdominal reconstruction surgery in lean and obese participants and concluded that the number of fat cells in one’s body is determined in childhood, and that the human body replaces fat cells at a rate of roughly 10 percent a year. http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/BeautySecrets/story?id=4777493&page=1 AD4E934B-4C82-4933-8243-4CF1E01B08C6 Thu, 8 May 2008 15:20:51 -0400 An international team of researchers report identifying new DNA variants near the gene MC4R that may trigger overeating and weight gain. According to the scientists’ recent paper, published in the journal Nature Genetics, people who have variants near the gene MC4R are, on average, several pounds heavier than their counterparts with no variants. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080505/ts_afp/healthobesitychildrengenes 083B42F5-0647-4F84-8E13-2C96571B4C2C Thu, 8 May 2008 15:20:34 -0400 A recent study by the New York Department of City Planning has found that millions of New York City residents live without access to fresh, affordable food. The scarcity of supermarkets within walking distance of New Yorkers’ homes is most pronounced in minority and low-income neighborhoods where rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease are highest. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/nyregion/05citywide.html?scp=2&sq=obesity&st=nyt F57FAA50-82AA-4F7B-B837-66658D347621 Thu, 8 May 2008 15:20:16 -0400 A study by researchers at the University of Minnesota reports that health insurance premiums have increased 10 times faster than incomes in recent years. As millions of private-sector employers have dropped health insurance coverage for employees, workers with families are shouldering increasingly hefty financial burdens as their health deteriorates due to poor diet and insufficient activity. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-insure30apr30,1,643844.story F3FB4D62-FC1B-4111-AA71-4C94091F0B31 Thu, 1 May 2008 11:50:02 -0400 State officials in New York City are looking to supermarkets, rather than bodegas, corner markets and produce carts, to meet growing demand for fresh food, which cannot be met is high as ever. Agriculture officials in New York are looking to improve food access in low-income neighborhoods by modeling a statewide program after Pennsylvania’s $120 million Fresh Food Financing Initiative, which has renovated or built 50 food stores statewide, all in underserved areas, since its inception in 2004. http://citylimits.org/content/articles/viewarticle.cfm?article_id=3544&content_type=1&media_type=4 788AE297-6B53-4320-9713-F2A10E61CA16 Thu, 1 May 2008 11:49:19 -0400 Rodent studies conducted by researchers in Melbourne, Australia have found that removing a specific enzyme from the fat cells of mice increases their metabolism. The scientists believe that their findings may point to a way to help people lose weight without requiring a reduction in food consumption. http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/health/7372495.stm FFDDB0B7-34D5-4320-A2F1-71AE15139284 Thu, 1 May 2008 11:48:54 -0400 According to scientists at Glasgow University, a pattern of binge eating followed by crash dieting may have adverse effects on longevity. Researchers observed that stickleback fish following a “binge then restrict” diet pattern exhibited a reduced lifespan of up to 25%. The researchers caution that these findings could be extrapolated to humans, and could have implications for teenagers and children who follow extreme patterns of dieting. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7373509.stm 5784DCA5-B975-48C1-99FC-7B4CD9D503B6 Thu, 1 May 2008 11:48:28 -0400 Researchers from two public health advocacy groups based in California have found that obesity and diabetes rates are much higher in neighborhoods that have a high concentration of fast-food outlets and convenience stores, compared to areas where fresh fruit and vegetable markets and full-service grocery stores are easily accessible. The researchers found “a very strong link" between chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes and living in a neighborhood with a high “retail food environment index,” which means a high density of convenience stores and fast-food outlets and a low density of supermarkets and produce vendors. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/healthscience/stories/043008dnnatfastfood.24f4a15.html 45A79842-11A7-4D12-8E73-3BACF8C5BB2C Thu, 1 May 2008 11:48:07 -0400 France’s National Assembly has approved a groundbreaking bill that would outlaw any efforts to publicly encourage extreme thinness. The bill is the strongest measure of its kind worldwide, and would predominantly affect fashion magazines, advertisers, and pro-anorexia blogs and websites. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080415/ap_on_he_me/france_anorexia 308DFD32-A29C-4B9F-B7EE-423937D6F185 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:35:08 -0400 A new study by research scientists at the Rudd Center suggests that weight-based discrimination is more prevalent now than it was a decade ago. In this report - the first to track patterns of weight bias - weight ranked third behind age and race as the most common form of prejudice. http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1730150,00.html 31D3D0A4-B442-4292-ADDD-883E3F81136B Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:34:45 -0400 According to the latest report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 75 percent of mine workers in Queensland are obese or overweight. Health experts note that diabetes risk factors, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol, are also highly prevalent among mine workers, whose diet is aversely affected by long shifts and work conditions. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23538125-3102,00.html EA107D6A-7B33-4948-A799-1317D08FD4DA Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:34:22 -0400 In a victory for the health department, Judge Richard J. Holwell of the United States District Court in Manhattan ruled in favor of requiring menu labeling by chain restaurants in New York City. In a 27-page opinion, Judge Holwell wrote that posting calorie information alongside prices would help improve nutrition and reduce obesity. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/nyregion/17calorie.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=obesity&st=nyt&oref=slogin 50DCC190-ED5F-411D-A0D5-7CFC32C1D426 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:33:46 -0400 An article in the New York Times explores the decisions of a small number of leading academic scientists to refuse payments from food, drug and medical device companies. Rudd Center Director Kelly Brownell and other researchers discuss the ethical quandaries and biases that can result when scientists accept compensation from the industry. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/15/health/15conf.html?ex=1365998400&en=af5a4553709a6ccb&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss 8D30C357-894C-4349-9E61-A375A5C6CD89 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:33:29 -0400 According to a new study by researchers at the Universities of Exeter and Oxford, a woman's diet around the time of conception may influence the gender of her baby. The study, which tracked the eating habits of 740 first-time pregnant mothers in the United Kingdom, suggests that eating a high-calorie diet during the time of conception might favor having a boy. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7358384.stm AF39AF7A-27FA-4BF9-BB27-7CAD39A14997 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:33:13 -0400 The use of biofuels as an alternative to oil has caused great hardship for other nations, with biofuels driving up food prices and causing widespread hunger among poor people. In some countries, higher food prices are causing riots, political instability and growing anxiety about feeding the poor. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/15/business/worldbusiness/15food.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin 11443C52-9BDA-4883-98AD-B05DA64900F2 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:32:56 -0400 Increases in the cost of milk, grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables are hurting schools’ ability to offer healthier cafeteria options to students. Some school officials report that serving students nutritious, low-fat foods is incompatible with the economic realities of the current food environment. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/13/AR2008041302733.html?referrer=emailarticle 2366050D-C126-4B99-A13B-C1FC38CB3344 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:32:41 -0400 According to a study by researchers at the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, breakfast cereals geared towards children are less healthy than cereals meant for adults. Rudd Center researchers analyzed over 160 different cereal brands and found that the cereals marketed most aggressively to children have the worst nutritional quality, and also make misleading health claims. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080423/hl_nm/cereals_healthy_dc_1 31BA5683-132D-41E1-9789-D97B17A6B932 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:32:21 -0400 At an “automated restaurant” in Nuremberg, Germany, traditional waiter service has been replaced with touch-screen TVs for menu browsing and ordering, and rails deliver packaged meals to the customers’ seats. The automated meal brings financial savings for both restaurant owners and consumers, but some say it takes a valuable human touch out of restaurant dining. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7335351.stm 2A9F8D8B-0CE5-4F35-8B68-64C4F0F862F9 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:08:38 -0400 A study by Harvard researchers, published this month in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, reports that babies and toddlers who sleep fewer than 12 hours daily are at greater risk for being overweight when they reach preschool age. Young children who slept the least and watched the most television had the greatest chance of becoming obese. http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1729156,00.html 4565F990-C9B3-4004-B31C-A1EE49189E02 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:08:21 -0400 Researchers at the University of Glasgow have conducted a new study on the relationship between childhood growth spurts and adult obesity. This study is the first to show that early growth patterns could cause long-term differences in metabolic rates. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7336610.stm 770407C0-803C-4F57-89C3-E55239798C4D Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:08:02 -0400 A new report by The Conference Board has found that obesity is associated with a 36-percent increase in spending on healthcare services, more than smoking or problem drinking. The report also explores the financial and ethical questions surrounding companies’ commitment to wellness programs that encourage overweight employees to lose weight. http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2008/04/10/89022.htm FC3CF684-5D6E-4547-8AF7-8CAB89C52033 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:07:33 -0400 Fire departments and emergency medical workers are responding to nationwide increases in obesity by purchasing stretchers, gurneys, and bariatric ambulances with greater holding capacities. Having inadequate equipment poses safety risks to both patients and the emergency medical staff caring for them. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/08/health/08ambu.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=obesity&st=nyt&oref=slogin 05A33372-C925-4113-8B2C-4CCE37C709AF Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:06:47 -0400 A federal initiative by the Russian government is aiming to incorporate better nutrition in children’s education by launching a ban on junk foods in schools. As part of the new program, schools in 14 regions will get recommendations for their lunch menu, ultimately providing nutritious lunches to 700,000 school children. http://www.russiatoday.ru/features/news/23160 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:29:31 -0400 Once dismissed as a gimmick, gastric banding, a weight loss procedure in which a silicone band is wrapped around the upper stomach to restrict food intake, is fast becoming the next big thing in elective surgery. Medical industry giants like Johnson & Johnson, venture-capital firms, and a growing number of surgeons are beginning to plug gastric banding as the new answer to the obesity epidemic. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120692909065176045.html?mod=googlenews_wsj 2F1A7EB5-B0CE-416F-A0BD-831CFF8183B7 Fri, 4 Apr 2008 13:37:01 -0400 Researchers from Syracuse University have performed a structured observational analysis of urban retail food markets and health in Syracuse, New York. The study found that a majority of corner markets do not sell fresh produce or low fat dairy products, and that, regardless of income, pregnant women living in proximity to a supermarket had significantly fewer low birth weight births than other pregnant women. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VH5-4PJM9TJ-1&_user=483692&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000022720&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=483692&md5=88d285b2268114761f904a0f0cb86afc A7ED8B1A-2FFA-46E6-8F39-856D5E690303 Fri, 4 Apr 2008 13:37:02 -0400 A new report by the United States Department of Agriculture shows that Americans are failing to meet federal dietary recommendations. According to data from the National Center for Health Statistics, two-thirds of US adults were either overweight or obese between 2003-2004, compared with 47 percent between 1976 and 1980; over the same time period, consumption of added fats increased 63 percent, and consumption of added sugars and sweeteners increases 19 percent. http://foodnavigator-usa.com/news/ng.asp?id=84332 7697C854-04EC-4238-8E5D-56C849DDBFCE Fri, 4 Apr 2008 13:37:03 -0400 According to a new report from the United States Department of Agriculture, American farmers are planning to reduce corn acreage significantly this year in efforts to generate greater soybean yields. A smaller corn harvest is expected to raise prices for corn, and, since this crop is frequently used as animal feed, the result is an expected increase in meat prices. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/01/business/01crop.html?ex=1207713600&en=626f4909dd1379ed&ei=5070&emc=eta1 C1851AE5-A101-453F-AA38-24419A5065D2 Fri, 4 Apr 2008 13:37:04 -0400 Research scientists at the Rudd Center have found that discrimination against overweight people--particularly women--is as common as racial discrimination in American society. The study also revealed that women are twice as likely as men to report weight discrimination and that weight discrimination in the workplace is common. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080327172129.htm CD009AD7-57BF-4F6F-952F-3FA886767331 Fri, 4 Apr 2008 13:37:05 -0400 According to a recent study published in the journal Neurology, a big waist size increases one’s risk of developing dementia in old age. The study of 6,500 people found that obesity, and a large waistline in particular, posed the most dangerous combination for Alzheimer’s risk; experts say that waist size can be a good indication of future health problems. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7314458.stm EA9BDE23-8B0D-4700-989E-299C6EFE7AF3 Fri, 4 Apr 2008 13:37:06 -0400