If you are having a hard time getting on the exercise bandwagon then you'll be excited to hear about recent news reported by Reuters. New research has found that a single bout of exercise helps obese individuals boost their body's fat-burning rate and improve their metabolic health. This means that just one 90-minute sweaty trip to the gym can have a big benefit, and hopefully that single trip will leave you feeling so good that you'll be eager to go back for more.
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New reports are claiming that by January 2010, state employees in Alabama will be charged $25 per month for insurance (that's normally free to state workers) if they have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or greater or if they are not making any process in slimming down — though how the progress will be measured is still being determined. This comes after insurance companies are finding that obese folks incur more medical costs over the course of a year than those who are not overweight.
Granted, Alabama is second only to Mississippi for having the most obese population in the country, but how do you feel about it?
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Obesity is not only bad for your health, but it could be doing a number on your wallet too. Newsweek recently outlined the the top five costs associated with obesity and it's interesting to see what more than a third of our country's population could be spending (or losing) money on. I've outlined some highlights in the following slideshow.
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The results of a 2007 government survey given by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are in and it's not looking good for Mississippi. It seems this state has had the highest obesity rate every year since 2004, and they're still in the lead now. Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Louisiana are not far from the top of that list though, with more than 30 percent of the adults living there fitting into the obese category.
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Obesity has been a growing problem for the United States, the UK, for Australia, and now it looks like obesity levels are on the rise in China as well. I hate to say it out loud, but it seems obesity is becoming a global epidemic.
One quarter of the adult population in China is overweight because dietary habits have shifted.
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I try find the silver lining of all seemingly bad things, even high gas prices.
When I get stressed out about how much I am paying at the pump I try and remember that research has found that an increase of an additional $1 per gallon in gasoline prices will reduce US obesity by 15 percent after five years by forcing us to walk, bike, or take public transportation (more walking) instead of using our cars. Furthermore, it may even lead us to eat at home instead of out in restaurants and drive-thru.
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When it comes to heart problems, it has been assumed that it's OK to be a bit overweight as long as you exercise regularly. New research is challenging this notion and this new research shows that being active can decrease but not eliminate your risk of heart problems. A new study that followed 39,000 women over 11 years discovered that weight actually plays a significant role in heart health.
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Until now, smoking seemed to be one of the most harmful things we could do to our health. However, as smoking rates decrease (yay!) and obesity rates increase (boo!), a new study found that having a high body mass index (BMI), that is 30 or higher, could become the most harmful concern, healthwise.
This is because a high BMI has been linked to an increased risk of disease and the following cancers:
A controversial new book called The Fattening of America ($17.79) is making claims that being overweight is becoming less of a health hazard and more of a lifestyle choice. It suggests that in the future, many people will likely continue to choose a diet and exercise regimen that leads to excess weight, since losing weight requires too much work and too many lifestyle sacrifices. Here's an exerpt from inside the cover:
"The issue is not that Americans don't care about their increasing waistlines — quite the opposite, in fact. 
With childhood obesity on the rise in America, people are coming up with inventive ways to try to combat the problem. Some environmental groups like the Sierra Club are backing the New Mexican “Leave No Child Inside” initiative. According to the Sierra Club, The Leave No Child Inside Act proposes a 1% excise tax ("sin tax") on the purchase of new televisions, video games, and equipment. 
