Alcohol linked with 88,000 premature deaths yearly | Fox News

Alcohol linked with 88,000 premature deaths yearly | Fox News: Researchers used the CDC's Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI) online application to estimate total number of deaths that were attributable to alcohol among U.S. adults ages 20 to 64, from 2006 through 2010. They also examined years of potential life lost across the U.S. by gender and age.






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Excessive alcohol use led to nearly 88,000 deaths per year over the study period, and shortened the lives of those who died by about 30 years on average, said study researcher Dafna Kanny of the CDC. "In total, there were 2.5 million years of potential life lost each year due to excessive alcohol use," she said.

Self-Monitoring in Weight Loss: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Self-Monitoring in Weight Loss: A Systematic Review of the Literature: Self-monitoring is the centerpiece of behavioral weight loss intervention programs. This article presents a systematic review of the literature on three components of self-monitoring in behavioral weight loss studies: diet, exercise, and self-weighing. This review included articles that were published between 1993 and 2009 that reported on the relationship between weight loss and these self-monitoring strategies. Of the 22 studies identified, 15 focused on dietary self-monitoring, one on self-monitoring exercise, and six on self-weighing. A wide array of methods was used to perform self-monitoring; the paper diary was used most often. Adherence to self-monitoring was reported most frequently as the number of diaries completed or the frequency of log-ins or reported weights. The use of technology, which included the Internet, personal digital assistants, and electronic digital scales were reported in five studies. Descriptive designs were used in the earlier studies whereas more recent reports involved prospective studies and randomized trials that examined the effect of self-monitoring on weight loss. A significant association between self-monitoring and weight loss was consistently found; however, the level of evidence was weak because of methodologic limitations. The most significant limitations of the reviewed studies were the homogenous samples and reliance on self-report. In all but two studies, the samples were predominantly white and women. This review highlights the need for studies in more diverse populations, for objective measures of adherence to self-monitoring, and for studies that establish the required dose of self-monitoring for successful outcomes.

Self-weighing in weight gain prevention and weight loss trials - Springer

Self-weighing in weight gain prevention and weight loss trials - Springer: Background: Although self-monitoring is a central tenet of behavioral approaches to changing health behavior, clinical and public health recommendations for better controlling body weight do not emphasize weight self-monitoring. Purpose: The objective was to determine whether more frequent self-weighing exerts a positive influence on weight loss or weight gain prevention. Methods: This study examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between self-weighing frequency and weight in two distinct groups: 1,226 adults who were enrolled in a weight gain prevention trial, and 1,800 adults who were enrolled in a weight loss trial. Results: Although the samples differed significantly in weight and baseline demographic characteristics, the distribution of baseline weighing frequencies did not differ by study. In both groups, more frequent self-weighing at baseline was associated with greater age, lower fat intake, White ethnicity, current nonsmoking status, a greater history of dieting to lose weight, and lower current body mass index. Despite similar weighing instructions, differential patterns of weighing frequency over time were observed: Weight loss dieters increased weighing over time regardless of treatment group (control or intervention), whereas weight gain preventers decreased weighing over time in the control group and increased weighing over time in intervention groups. Most important, higher weighing frequency was associated with greater 24month weight loss or less weight gain. Conclusions: Results support the idea that daily weighing is valuable to individuals trying to lose weight or prevent weight gain. Daily self-weighing should be emphasized in clinical and public health messages about weight control. Experimental studies on the effects of weighing frequency in these contexts are recommended.

5 Habits of Weight Loss Success, links to applicable Research, News, and Reports

Breakfast and Weight-loss

Daily Weighing

Exercise and Social Support

Exercise and Weight-loss

Exercise in the Natural Environments as a part of Natural Routines: Home Exercise, Office Exercise, Neighborhood Exercise.

Fasting and Diabetes

Social Support and Weight-loss

Evaluation of exercise in the natural environment

PsycNET - Display Record: Based on a new experimental paradigm to evaluate physical activity in the natural environment, 45,694 observations were made of persons using stairs or an adjacent escalator at a shopping mall, train station, and bus terminal. In Study 1, stair use more than doubled for both obese and nonobese persons during 2 2-wk periods when a colorful sign encouraging use of the stairs was positioned at the stairs/escalator choice point. In Study 2, stair use remained elevated for 15 consecutive days while the sign was present, decreased during a 1-mo follow-up period, and returned to baseline by 3 mo. Results not only demonstrate the usefulness of this paradigm but also suggest the strength of simple, inexpensive public health interventions to increase physical activity. (41 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Recruiting inactive older adults to a neighborhood walking trial: The SHAPE project

Recruiting inactive older adults to a neighborhood walking trial: The SHAPE project: In research on elder physical activity and health, emphasis has predominantly centered on outcome, with little attention given to an examination of which recruitment strategies were most effective and why. This article reports on the strategies and methods used in recruiting participants for the Senior Health And Physical Exercise (SHAPE) project, a randomized trial of neighborhood walking. A multifaceted, staged protocol of computerized telephoning followed by direct mail and personal contact methods was employed to recruit a representative sample of 582 elderly participants (M=73.99 years, S.D.=6.25; 69% female) from 56 metropolitan neighborhoods in Portland, OR. Significant variations in distribution were found both between conditions (χ2=117.81, df=1, P<.001) and within the walking condition (χ2=91.77, df=4, P<.001), indicating that overall women and men tended to respond differentially to the different methods. Details and evaluation of recruitment strategies, costs, and implications of the findings for recruiting older adults to community-based physical activity programs are discussed.

Effects of a workplace physical exercise intervention on the intensity of headache and neck and shoulder symptoms and upper extremity muscular strength of office workers: A cluster randomized controlled cross-over trial

Effects of a workplace physical exercise intervention on the intensity of headache and neck and shoulder symptoms and upper extremity muscular strength of office workers: A cluster randomized controlled cross-over trial: The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of a workplace physical exercise intervention on the perceived intensity of headache and the intensity of symptoms in the neck and shoulders, as well as on the extension and flexion strength of the upper extremities. The study was a cluster randomized controlled trial. The cross-over design consisted of physical exercise intervention (15 weeks) and no-intervention (15 weeks). The subjects (n=53) were office workers (mean age 46.6 (SD 8.4)) who reported headache (n=41) symptoms in the neck (n=37) or shoulders (n=41), which had restricted their daily activities during the last 12 months. Pain symptoms were measured using the Borg CR10 scale and muscular strength with a 5RM test. Statistical analyses were based on linear mixed models. Physical exercise intervention resulted in a slight, but statistically significant, decrease in the intensity of headache and neck symptoms, as well as an increase in the extension strength of the upper extremities. The mean decrease in headache during the 5-week period was 0.64 CR10 (95% CI 0.28–1.00) (P=0.001) or 49% (95% CI 22–77), and 0.42 CR10 (95% CI 0.11–0.72) (P=0.002) or 49% (95% CI 13–85) in the intensity of neck symptoms. The mean increase in the extension strength of the upper extremities was 1.3kg (95% CI 0.5–2.1) (P=0.001) or 4% (95% CI 1–6). The intervention had no effect on the intensity of shoulder symptoms or the flexion strength of the upper extremities. Specific exercise may be clinically important to alleviate headache and neck symptoms.

Home Exercise and Weight Loss

PsycNET - Display Record: This study examined the effects of 2 aerobic exercise regimens on exercise participation, fitness, eating patterns, treatment adherence, and weight changes in 49 obese women undergoing a year-long behavioral weight loss program. Participants were assigned randomly to weight loss treatment plus either group- or home-based exercise. All participants were instructed to complete a moderate-intensity walking program (30 min/day, 5 days/week). Group exercise participants were provided with 3 supervised group exercise sessions per week for the 1st 26 weeks and with 2 sessions per week thereafter. Home exercise participants were instructed to complete all exercise in their home environment. After 6 months, both conditions displayed significant improvements in exercise participation, fitness, eating patterns, and weight loss. At 12 months, the home-based program showed superior performance to the group condition in exercise participation and treatment adherence; at 15 months, participants in the home program demonstrated significantly greater weight losses than those in the group program. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Sources of social support as predictors of exercise adherence in women and men ages 50 to 65 years. - Abstract - Europe PubMed Central

Sources of social support as predictors of exercise adherence in women and men ages 50 to 65 years. - Abstract - Europe PubMed Central: Examines types of social support that best predicts adherence at different time points during a 1-year endurance exercise program in 269 women and men ages 50 to 65 years.Results indicate that social support had similar effects on exercise participation for women and men, and support specific to exercise was a better predictor of exercise adherence than general social support.A preference for receiving a lesser amount of initial support from exercise staff was the strongest social support-related predictor of exercise adherence during the initial 6 months of the program.Support currently received from family and friends and exercise staff at Month 6 was found to be the strongest predictor of adherence during Months 7 to 12.Format of exercise was also a strong predictor of exercise adherence with home-based programs related to greater adherence.Additionally, divorced nonsmokers appear to be at increased risk for poor early exercise adherence and should be targeted in interventions to promote exercise participation.

These results support several prior studies in which we showed that routine periodic fasting across the lifespan is, in fact, linked to a lower risk of diabetes and a lower risk of coronary artery disease.Medical Research News and Interviews: MedicalResearch.com

These results support several prior studies in which we showed that routine periodic fasting across the lifespan is, in fact, linked to a lower risk of diabetes and a lower risk of coronary artery disease.Medical Research News and Interviews: MedicalResearch.com: The Fasting II trial was a single-arm interventional trial of 24-hour water-only fasting among pre-diabetics with metabolic syndrome. The participants were adults with fasting blood glucose >100 mg/dL and at least two other components of the metabolic syndrome, including high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol), high blood pressure, or high waist circumference. The participants were asked to fast once per week for 6 weeks, with multiple goals in this pilot study. This is the first interventional trial of fasting in people with pre-diabetes or diabetes.

Utah study suggests fasting may fight diabetes | The Salt Lake Tribune

Utah study suggests fasting may fight diabetes | The Salt Lake Tribune: Results from their most recent study suggest that with diabetes, at least, fasting may be an important intervention.

The Benefits of Social Support for Weight Loss and Maintenance

PsycNET - Display Record: To determine the benefits of social support for weight loss and maintenance, this study recruited participants (N = 166) either alone or with 3 friends or family members and then randomly assigned then to a standard behavioral treatment (SBT) or SBT with social support strategies. Participants recruited with friends had greater weight losses at the end of the 4-month treatment and at Month 10 follow-up. Both recruitment strategy and the social support manipulation affected treatment completion and weight-loss maintenance. In those recruited alone and given SBT, 76% completed treatment and 24% maintained their weight loss in full from Months 4 to 10. Among those recruited with friends and given SBT plus social support, 95% completed treatment and 66% maintained their weight loss in full. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Long-Term Weight Loss and Breakfast in Subjects in the National Weight Control Registry - Wyatt - 2012 - Obesity Research - Wiley Online Library

Long-Term Weight Loss and Breakfast in Subjects in the National Weight Control Registry - Wyatt - 2012 - Obesity Research - Wiley Online Library: Objective: To examine breakfast consumption in subjects maintaining a weight loss in the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR).


Research Methods and Procedures: A cross-sectional study in which 2959 subjects in the NWCR completed demographic and weight history questionnaires as well as questions about their current breakfast consumption. All subjects had maintained a weight loss of at least 13.6 kg (30 lb) for at least 1 year; on average these subjects had lost 32 kg and kept it off for 6 years.


Results: A large proportion of NWCR subjects (2313 or 78%) reported regularly eating breakfast every day of the week. Only 114 subjects (4%) reported never eating breakfast. There was no difference in reported energy intake between breakfast eaters and non-eaters, but breakfast eaters reported slightly more physical activity than non-breakfast eaters (p = 0.05).


Discussion: Eating breakfast is a characteristic common to successful weight loss maintainers and may be a factor in their success.

Who succeeds in maintaining weight loss? A conceptual review of factors associated with weight loss maintenance and weight regain - Elfhag - 2005 - Obesity Reviews - Wiley Online Library

Who succeeds in maintaining weight loss? A conceptual review of factors associated with weight loss maintenance and weight regain - Elfhag - 2005 - Obesity Reviews - Wiley Online Library: Weight loss is difficult to achieve and maintaining the weight loss is an even greater challenge. The identification of factors associated with weight loss maintenance can enhance our understanding for the behaviours and prerequisites that are crucial in sustaining a lowered body weight. In this paper we have reviewed the literature on factors associated with weight loss maintenance and weight regain. We have used a definition of weight maintenance implying intentional weight loss that has subsequently been maintained for at least 6 months. According to our review, successful weight maintenance is associated with more initial weight loss, reaching a self-determined goal weight, having a physically active lifestyle, a regular meal rhythm including breakfast and healthier eating, control of over-eating and self-monitoring of behaviours. Weight maintenance is further associated with an internal motivation to lose weight, social support, better coping strategies and ability to handle life stress, self-efficacy, autonomy, assuming responsibility in life, and overall more psychological strength and stability. Factors that may pose a risk for weight regain include a history of weight cycling, disinhibited eating, binge eating, more hunger, eating in response to negative emotions and stress, and more passive reactions to problems.

Lose Weight: Eat Breakfast

Lose Weight: Eat Breakfast: Eating breakfast is a daily habit for the "successful losers" who belong to The National Weight Control Registry. These people have maintained a 30-pound (or more) weight loss for at least a year, and some as long as six years.

"Most -- 78% -- reported eating breakfast every day, and almost 90% reported eating breakfast at least five days a week - which suggests that starting the day with breakfast is an important strategy to lose weight and keep it off," says James O. Hill, PhD, the Registry's co-founder and director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

Two studies in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association backed up this finding. Though they were funded by cereal companies, dietitians say they underscore the message - breakfast is important to weight loss

Watching TV for three or more hours everyday can cause premature death, says study : Health, News - India Today

Watching TV for three or more hours everyday can cause premature death, says study : Health, News - India Today: Shockingly, the result found that those viewing TV for three or more hours were twice risky than those who watched for merely one or less hours.

However, the scientists were unable to find any connection between premature death and other activities like accessing the computer or driving.

The researchers said more studies will be needed to ascertain what influences may be connected to computer usage and driving on mortality rates.

Arizona teen dies of heart attack in Mexico after consuming energy drinks | Fox News

Arizona teen dies of heart attack in Mexico after consuming energy drinks | Fox News: "There is medical evidence that these things do harm; they can cause changes in the heart rhythm, and impact blood pressure," Wolfson said. “"These drinks should be regulated as alcohol is, no one under the age of 21 should be allowed to have these drinks.”

The happy effect exercise has on your...gut bacteria? | Fox News

The happy effect exercise has on your...gut bacteria? | Fox News: Gut bacteria is one of the hottest topics of scientific research. That’s delightful for health journalists, because the things that influence your gut are so random and irresistible: everything from dirty farmers’ market veggies to slobbery dogs can improve yours by leaps and bounds.

With a ratio of 10 bacterial cells to every 1 human cell, we’re more bug than human, so it makes sense that nearly everything affects your microbiome (science-speak for your unique community of bacteria.) And as of today, you can add exercise to that list of influencers, finds a new study published in the journal Gut.

6 Snack Habits for Healthy Weight Loss - ABC News##

6 Snack Habits for Healthy Weight Loss - ABC News##: Snacks, finger foods, tapas, amuse-bouche—however you term them, there’s something endlessly satisfying about munching on little hand-held bites of heaven. Problem is, America’s favorite snacks aren’t little; nor are they heavenly.

Caffeine Affects Teen Boys, Girls Differently, Study Says – WebMD

Caffeine Affects Teen Boys, Girls Differently, Study Says – WebMD: Kids appear to process caffeine -- the stimulant in coffee, energy drinks and soda -- differently after puberty. Males then experience greater heart-rate and blood-pressure changes than females, a new study suggests.

'Bionic Pancreas' Improves Blood Sugar Control for People With Type 1 Diabetes – WebMD

'Bionic Pancreas' Improves Blood Sugar Control for People With Type 1 Diabetes – WebMD: The "bionic pancreas" -- a device that uses a sophisticated computer program working in concert with several diabetes management devices -- successfully managed blood sugar levels in its first real-world trials on adults and children with type 1 diabetes.

5 No-Fail, Classic Tips for Weight Loss

5 No-Fail, Classic Tips for Weight Loss: Let me make something clear: This story isn’t about juicing, shakes, cutting out entire food groups, or jumping on the next popular quick-fix diet. The tips I list here are tried and true guidelines proven to help you tone up and trim down. I’m sure you’ve heard some of these before, but I thought it would be handy to list them all here, in one place, for your easy reference. So without further ado, here are my five favorite no-fail weight loss tips:

Red Meat May Raise Breast Cancer Risk, Study Suggests – WebMD

Red Meat May Raise Breast Cancer Risk, Study Suggests – WebMD: Women who ate the most red meat increased their risk for breast cancer by nearly 25 percent, a 20-year study of nearly 89,000 women suggests.

On the flip side, however, replacing a daily serving of red meat with a combination of fish, legumes, nuts and poultry appeared to lower the risk of breast cancer by 14 percent, the researchers said.

"Cutting down processed meat, limiting intake of red meat, and substituting a combination of poultry, fish, legumes and nuts as protein sources for red meat during early life seems beneficial for the prevention of breast cancer," said lead researcher Maryam Farvid, who's with the Harvard School of Public Health's Department of Nutrition.

Men: Want to Be Healthy for the Rest of Your Life?

Men: Want to Be Healthy for the Rest of Your Life?: Marriage is good for a man's health.

And it's actually having a marriage license that matters -- not just living with a partner, according to data from the 2011-2012 National Health Interview Survey.

The survey found that cohabiting men were less likely than married men to have seen their doctor in the previous year, according to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics.

Turmeric, curcumin fights Alzheimer's disease

foodconsumer.org - Turmeric, curcumin fights Alzheimer's disease

Divorce Increases the Risk of Obesity in Children, Study

Divorce Increases the Risk of Obesity in Children, Study: The finding is based on an analysis of over 3000 participants from 127 different schools across Norway. The children were a part of the National 2010 Norwegian Child Growth Study. As a part of the study, the height, weight and waist circumference of children of average age 8, was measured.

Obesity Prior to Pregnancy May Lead to Heart Failure Study Suggests

Obesity Prior to Pregnancy May Lead to Heart Failure Study Suggests: A study suggests obesity prior to being pregnant can potentially cause a long-term danger of heart failure in women. Gynecologists and obstetricians at Beersheba’s Soroka University Medical Center and the Ben-Gurion University community health department looked into follow-up reports of mothers in order to access the effects of obesity on women who were pregnant in a retrospective study. The study noticed an association for future risk of cardiovascular mortality and an earlier age of heart attacks in women who were obese before getting pregnant.

Professor questions breakfast-weight loss study

Professor questions breakfast-weight loss study: Based on science, though, Michele Olson, a professor of kinesiology at Auburn University Montgomery, weighs in more on the side of eating breakfast, referencing the National Weight Loss Registry, which tracks people who have maintained weight loss of at least 30 pounds for more than a year. It reported in 2003 that eating breakfast is one of the four most important behaviors that the study subjects shared.

A good night's sleep really DOES boost your brain: Getting shut-eye helps builds nerve cells linked with learning | Mail Online

A good night's sleep really DOES boost your brain: Getting shut-eye helps builds nerve cells linked with learning | Mail Online

Babies Exposed to Dirt and Bacteria Less Likely to Suffer from Allergies : News : Headlines & Global News

Babies Exposed to Dirt and Bacteria Less Likely to Suffer from Allergies : News : Headlines & Global News: A recent study conducted by the Johns Hopkins Children's Center and other institutions found that children exposed to dirt and bacteria during their first 12 months were less likely to develop allergic reactions, asthma and wheezing.

Legal Pot Might Make America’s Kids Stupider (or more stupid), Say Researchers | TIME

Legal Pot Might Make America’s Kids Stupider, Say Researchers | TIME: In the midst of the drumbeat toward legalization, it’s easy to forget that smoking pot isn’t great for you. Especially if you are a teenager.

A review of the research on the negative health affects of marijuana published today in the New England Journal of Medicine reports that smoking pot as a kid may have lasting impacts on intelligence and achievement.

Speaking two languages keeps brain's aging at bay - The Times of India

Speaking two languages keeps brain's aging at bay - The Times of India: If you speak more languages than one, it is good not only for your social image but also for the health of your brain, a research said.

Bilingualism has a positive effect on cognition later in life.

Individuals, who speak two or more languages, even those who acquired the second language in adulthood, may slow down cognitive decline from aging, the research found.

There’s No ‘Obesity Paradox’ for Stroke, Study Finds - Health News and Views - Health.com

There’s No ‘Obesity Paradox’ for Stroke, Study Finds - Health News and Views - Health.com: Contrary to previous evidence of what scientists have dubbed the “obesity paradox,” being overweight or obese won’t lower your risk of dying from a stroke, a new study shows.

The obesity paradox suggests that overweight, and even obese, people may have a lower risk of dying prematurely from a number of conditions, including stroke, than do normal-weight folks.

Should the government dictate what food stamp users eat? Yes, say health researchers | AL.com

Should the government dictate what food stamp users eat? Yes, say health researchers | AL.com: Prohibiting aid recipients from using food stamps to purchase sugary drinks could reduce obesity rates and new cases of type-2 diabetes, a new study shows.

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine looked at what would happen if food stamp users weren't allowed to purchase sugar-sweetened drinks, as well as the impact subsidizing fruits and vegetable purchases would have on the 46 million Americans who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP.

Ending SNAP Subsidies For Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Could Reduce Obesity And Type 2 Diabetes

Ending SNAP Subsidies For Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Could Reduce Obesity And Type 2 Diabetes: To reduce obesity and type 2 diabetes rates, lawmakers have proposed modifying Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to encourage healthier food choices. We examined the impact of two proposed policies: a ban on using SNAP dollars to buy sugar-sweetened beverages; and a subsidy in which for every SNAP dollar spent on fruit and vegetables, thirty cents is credited back to participants’ SNAP benefit cards. We used nationally representative data and models describing obesity, type 2 diabetes, and determinants of food consumption among a sample of over 19,000 SNAP participants. We found that a ban on SNAP purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages would be expected to significantly reduce obesity prevalence and type 2 diabetes incidence, particularly among adults ages 18–65 and some racial and ethnic minorities. The subsidy policy would not be expected to have a significant effect on obesity and type 2 diabetes, given available data. Such a subsidy could, however, more than double the proportion of SNAP participants who meet federal vegetable and fruit consumption guidelines.

Sleeping with the Lights on Tied to Obesity Risk : Physical Wellness : Counsel & Heal

Sleeping with the Lights on Tied to Obesity Risk : Physical Wellness : Counsel & Heal: Obesity is a disease that can lead to several other health conditions, such as cardiovascular problems if left unmonitored. Health experts recommend people to maintain or lose weight via healthy dieting and physical activity. In a new study, researchers have identified another factor that could be contributing to obesity. The study led by the Institute of Cancer Research in London found that women who sleep with the lights on have a greater risk of gaining weight.

MSG intake linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome

MSG intake linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome: An international team of researchers investigating the links between monosodium glutamate (MSG) and obesity and metabolic syndrome in mice have suggested that the food additive may be 'a critical factor' in the initiation of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Writing in the Journal of Medicinal Food, the team detailed findings from research in mice which they may suggest that MSG plays a role in the onset of obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (referred to as NASH) by decreasing metabolism rates "and that the calorie intake is capable of influencing its progression without affecting the degree of obesity in our animal model."

White Bread Linked to Obesity

White Bread Linked to Obesity: A recent study has confirmed a link between being overweight or obese and eating white bread daily. In fact, eating just three slices of white bread per day raise the odds-by half-of someone becoming overweight. However, there was no weight gain found for people who ate whole grain bread.

In this study, researchers in Spain, from the University of Navarra, tracked the weight of almost 10,000 people. The participants of this study were followed for five years. The people studied were tasked with filling out a 136-item questionnaire, and their weight gain was tracked consistently over the course of the study.

More Than 2 Billion People Are Now Either Obese Or Overweight | Co.Exist | ideas + impact

More Than 2 Billion People Are Now Either Obese Or Overweight | Co.Exist | ideas + impact: If you thought the United States was unique in its obesity crisis, you haven't been to Kuwait or Tonga recently. While the U.S. is home to 13% of the world's most overweight, many other countries are catching up fast. Obesity is no longer an exclusively first-world problem.

A major analysis of 1,769 previously published studies finds that there's been a huge tipping of the scales in the last 30 years or so. Between 1980 and 2013, the number of overweight or obese people worldwide rose from 857 million to 2.1 billion. More than 36% of men and 38% of women now have a Body Mass Index score higher than 25, the normal threshold for being overweight.