FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

One Exercise Session Boosts Big Health Benefits

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0700

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. Even if you aren't currently overweight, think about the fact that if only one exercise session does wonders for your health, imagine what adding daily activity to your lifestyle will do.

Speak Up: Are You OK With an Obesity Fee?

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:00:00 -0700

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? If you're overweight, would you be OK with paying a $25 fee if your employer were to set the same guidelines? If you're not overweight, do you feel it's fair? Speak up and share your thoughts below.

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The Real Price of Obesity

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700

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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Fattest State Revealed: Mississippi Again?

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700

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. The South has a larger concentration of rural residents and black women, two groups of people who tend to have higher rates of obesity. The typical Southern diet that's high in fat and rich with fried foods may be partly to blame.

So which state is the leanest? To find out

Obesity Levels in China Are Rising

FitSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700

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. People are eating more meat and dairy products than they used to. The classical Chinese diet that was rich in veggies, carbs, and minimal animal products, no longer exists. Lifestyles are also changing, and Chinese people aren't required to do as much physical activity at their jobs. Poor diet and inactivity are a deadly combo for China and for any country for that matter. Barry Popkin, a professor of nutrition at the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina says:

"What's happening in China should be seen as a marker for what is going to hit the rest of the developing world if we fail to act. We need to find the right investments and regulations to encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle, or we risk facing higher rates of death, disease, and disability, and the related costs."

Along with obesity, the rates of cancer and coronary heart disease are also on the rise. Hopefully people all over the world will see this as a red flag and it'll encourage them to eat a healthy diet and exercise more.

As Gas Prices Rise, Waistlines Drop — Yay?

FitSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:00:00 -0700

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.

Clearly I have always been a proponent of walking, biking (it is Bike to Work Week), and taking public transportation for more reasons than just the high gas prices (more exercise during the day, better for the environment, etc.), but there is nothing wrong with trying to look on the brighter side of things. I, for one, just paid $4.23 per gallon [gasp] to fill up my car and definitely use the opportunity to walk whenever it's possible. What about you?

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Can You Be Both Overweight and Fit?

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:00:00 -0700

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.

The women participating in the study were assessed by their level of activity as well as their Body Mass Index (BMI). Women who exercised moderately (brisk walking or jogging) for 30 minutes most days of the week were considered active, and those who exercised less were categorized as inactive. To see the results of the study,

Fat Worse Than Tobacco?

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:45:00 -0800

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:

Thyroid, kidney, and colon cancers, cancer of the esophagus, multiple myeloma (a cancer of the blood cells), leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in both sexes.
Rectal cancer and malignant melanoma (a deadly skin cancer) in men.
And gallbladder, pancreas, endometrial, and postmenopausal breast cancers in women.

So if you're really feeling like not going to the gym today, remind yourself that a healthy body weight could be one of your best defenses against disease and cancer.

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Speak Up: Is Obesity a Lifestyle Choice?

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:30:00 -0800

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. But the reality is that in America's (and increasingly the world's) obesity-inducing environment, the sustained changes in behavior required to lose the weight and keep it off are simply too difficult — and becoming more difficult all the time. Moreover, generous insurance coverage and vastly improved medical treatments have lowered the health costs, if not the monetary costs, of excess weight. So carrying a few extra pounds is not as bad for one's health as it used to be."

So what do you guys think about all this? Do you agree with the author's point of view? Speak up and share your thoughts in the comments section below. As always with sensitive topics, let's keep it respectful.

Another Reason to Lose a Few: Bad Breath

FitSugar — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 02:00:00 -0800

Bad breath, a common side effect of dry mouth, poor dental hygiene, the morning cup of coffee, and a big meal heavy in garlic and onions, has added a new cause to the list.

Obesity is the latest perpetrator for causing bad breath among many of us. New research out of Tel Aviv has found that overweight patients were more likely to have foul-smelling breath than the non overweight patients in the study. As to why this is the case is still up in the air, however researchers believe that obese people may have a diet that promotes the condition of dry mouth or that people who are obese may be less in tune with taking care of their mouths and bodies. Regardless, it's just another reason to eat healthy, exercise, and practice good dental hygiene.

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Hypertension Linked to Kids TV Time

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 02:00:00 -0700

A lot of us are concerned about having high blood pressure (aka Hypertension), but have you ever thought about your child having high blood pressure?

As it turns out, children who spent two to four hours a day watching TV were 2.5 times more likely to have hypertension than children who watched two or less hours of TV a day. Children who watched four or more hours of TV a day were 3.3 times more likely to have hypertension than those who watched less than two hours a day.

Furthermore, changing a child's TV time alone can lead to weight loss, without any changes in physical activity. I'm thinking if you don't have kids, or even if you do, the two hour rule is something that we can all apply to our own TV viewing schedules in an effort to be more active.

For those of you who are always looking for more information on parenting as much as I am and have been asking for our parenting site, your wait is almost over! LilSugar is launching very soon so get ready for baby news, trends, advice and stories - Sugar style!

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Speak Up: Which is More Socially Acceptable?

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Obesity among women residing in the U.S. has become socially acceptable, mostly because more than one-third of women ages 20 and older are obese.

Obesity among women is a new "social dynamic" that is reportedly becoming more socially acceptable nowadays than in the past. Medically speaking this trend appears to be a dangerous one because of its connection with type 2 diabetes, cancer and other diseases. However, psychologically, it may provide relief to know that you are not the only one packing on the pounds.

Jeez, and all this time I thought being grossly skinny was socially acceptable... So I am curious what you guys think about this whole thing -- Which is more socially acceptable, being too thin or being overweight? Speak up and share your thoughts in the comments section below.

I do need to remind you to please be nice in sharing your opinions as people of all body types will be reading this and we don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

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Who's Making Who Fat Now?

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Just because I thought this little comic strip from GeekCulture.com was cute and quite appropriate, I wanted to share.

With all the talk about obesity being contagious, are your friends making you fat or are you the one making your friends fat? Now that is the real question...

Don't Be Part of The Fat Statistic

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 17:15:00 -0700

As a country, we are getting fatter and fatter day by day.

Alarming reports claim that if people keep gaining weight at the current rate, fat will be the norm by 2015, with 75 percent of U.S. adults overweight and 41 percent obese.

Sad to say, but this news does not shock me as much as it probably should. Hopefully reading FitSugar has got you all motivated enough to not become part of the 75 percent. It's all up to us and I know we've got it in us to get moving and eating right so in eight years we're not part of that awful statistic. Or even better, let's work to eliminate that number altogether.

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What's the Deal With: Leptin

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 02:00:00 -0700

I have come across the word "leptin" a lot recently and instead of just skimming over it and knowing it is vaguely related to weight, I thought I'd do a bit more research.

Leptin (from the Greek word leptos meaning thin) is a hormone that helps control appetite and metabolism. In a normal weight person, when body fat increases, leptin levels rise which signal the brain that it needs to speed up metabolism and decrease appetite. According to Leo Galland, M.D., author of The Fat Resistance Diet, when folks are overweight the leptin message gets lost and the body cannot regulate its fat stores.

New research indicates that inflammation, a condition in which your immune system is kicked into overdrive, may lead to weight gain and make losing more difficult. Doctors think inflammation interferes with leptin production. So from a nutritional perspective you should eat inflammation fighting foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Simply put, leptin is part of the complicated chemical process that helps regulate weight.

The Toll Fat Can Take Inside Your Body

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 08:45:00 -0700

It is easy to get caught up in the aesthetic reasons for losing weight, but it is also important to remember that one of the most important reasons to lose that extra weight is because of what you can't see: Inside your body.

I don't know if any of you guys caught the series "Living Large in America" on the Today Show a while back, but one segment where they took us through the affects of obesity on your insides and during surgery, has really stuck with me. Here's what they found:

Enlarged liver. An obese person's liver can be twice the size of that of an average person's liver. Instead of a healthy brownish, reddish color, an obese person's liver is greasy yellow.
Breathing is harder. An obese person's lung's are often smaller than those of an average person's lungs. This is because they get crushed under the pressure of the excess body mass.
Enlarged heart. For every 2.2 lbs a person gains, the body creates about two miles of red blood vessels to compensate. For this reason an obese person's heart is often enlarged due to it having to work overtime to account for extra miles.
Difficult to diagnosis. Diagnosis for an obese person is harder for doctors to determine as reading x-rays are much more difficult.
Difficult during surgery. Surgery time for an obese person is often increased due to excess fat. This is in correlation to increased incision size, increased healing time and increased risk of infection.
Hard on your knees. When you go up a step, you are putting pressure seven times your body weight on your knee joints, so an obese person's knees are at increased risk for injury with each and every pound.

To watch the segment online, check out MSNBC.com.

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A Week In Review: FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 04:00:00 -0700

I am curious: What are the 5 exercises you can't live without. Speak Up and tell me - leave your comment to enter a drawing for a FitSugar tee shirt or baseball hat.

We all know that Madonna is into fitness. Interested in learning what she's up to these days? Read this post and see.

Do you think doctors should point out obesity to their patients? Vote on the poll and let me know what you think.

Have your tried the Pilates stretch - the Mermaid? Watch the video and follow along.

Wednesday was World Wide HIV Testing Day and I want to know if you have been tested for HIV.

Meet a new member of the ab-alicious club: Hilary Duff. She is looking HOT.

If you are a fan of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, check out this breakdown of their popular flavors.

I hope you're going hiking this weekend. Let me show you what you should pack for a day hike.

Looking for a good inner thigh stretch? Try the Seated Straddle.

Yikes! The popular snack Veggie Booty is being Recalled!!!

Pressed for time at the gym? Try this multitasking move: plank with reverse row.

Should Doctors Point Out Obesity?

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Did you know that an estimated 66 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese? However according to a new report, only 12 percent of U.S. adults say they have ever been told by a doctor, nurse, or other health care professional that they are obese. So either a lot of people are not seeing the doctor as they should, or the doctors are not calling their patients out on being obese. This is a sensitive subject, I know, but I am wondering what you guys think -- Should a doctor be responsible for letting his patient know if she is obese as well as the risks associated with obesity? Source

Should Doctors Point Out Obesity?

Yes

Other - Tell me below

Get Motivated: He Lost Hundreds!

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 10:15:00 -0700

I am always absolutely amazed with major weight loss, especially when it's been done with diet and exercise (rather than surgery). Here is an amazing story of a man who has lost hundreds of pounds (literally) with the help of a good friend, a good diet, a little bit of exercise and a lot of motivation.

Please know that there are parts of the video that are a bit hard to watch, so if you're easily offended then I recommend not watching.

Now if that doesn't give you the extra motivation to head to the gym today, I don't know what does. Besides, it kind of makes those last ten pounds you're struggling with seem like less of a big deal, doesn't it?

Microwave Free Fridays

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 08:45:00 -0700

New research from a scientist in the UK has found a correlation between the rise in obesity and the rise in microwave ownership. Obesity started becoming a problem between 1984 and 1987. In 1984, ironically, there was a rapid spread of microwave ownership.

Sounds pretty convincing to me. Think about how easy it is to get an abundance of food when you're hungry these days -- 30 seconds and wham, your Hot Pocket is ready. One suggestion then, why not take a day off from the microwave and cook something on the stove, or maybe even in the oven? Microwave Free Fridays anyone? Perhaps you may surprise yourself with cooking skills you never knew you had. Also, you'll be able to make your meal as healthy as you want it, instead of consuming already determined nutritional info from a food maker that is not always 100% accurate. I am sure YumSugar will agree that preparing a meal can bring the fun and experience back to eating, rather than just eating for satiety. Heck, you may even notice some weight loss too.

I picked Friday because I like cooking a nice meal on a Friday night followed by watching a movie with my family, however do what works for you, just take one day off a week from nuking your food.

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Does a Place Exist Where Women are Not Fat Enough?

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 03:00:00 -0700

It does and it's hard to imagine. I recently read this article on MSNBC and it just reiterates that the grass is not always greener...

There are no fast food restaurants in Mauritania, yet one fourth of the women there are obese. That is because in Mauritania, a country in Northwest Africa, bigger women are considered better. In fact, force feeding girls and beating them if they vomit or refuse food is not uncommon to make them bigger. Obesity has long been the ideal of beauty in Mauritania, providing a visual for a family’s wealth amongst poverty.

Those that are not big have been known to try using foreign-made appetite-inducing pills (I didn't even know such a product existed) and use veils to cover-up their thinness. The government has since launched a TV and radio campaign highlighting the health risks of obesity to stop the harsh treatment to women and girls. This combined with the rising popularity of foreign soap operas featuring model-thin women, has helped the decline, but it is still present.

Can you imagine? The women of Mauritania must think that our country's obsession with thinness is completely bizarre, while I can't imagine telling a woman that she is not fat enough. What do you think?

Part 3: Are You in the "Pre" Phase of Disease? Obesity

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 10:15:00 -0700

I've been talking a lot about Diabetes and if you're putting yourself at risk or not. So, along with Diabetes, what are the identifiers of common health diseases? Medical News Today has outlined four "prediseases" to watch for, here is the first:

Overweight:

Why It's Important: Not only is overweight the forerunner to obesity, a known risk factor for many diseases, just being 5% to 10% overweight increases your risk of chronic disease, making overweight a predisease of sorts. In a 2001 study of middle-aged adults from both the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, being overweight increased the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, gallstones, high blood pressure, heart disease, colon cancer and stroke. The risk rose in proportion to the degree of overweight.
How to Identify: According to the National Institutes of Health, someone with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight. Find out your BMI on Fit's Calculator.

Don't forget to check out the other three prephases of disease.

Fit's Tips: If you suspect you are at risk for any disease, you should definitely see your doctor.

Part 1: Are You in the "Pre" Phase of Disease? Prediabetes

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Prediabetes:

Why It's Important: A whopping 54 million American adults have blood glucose that's higher than normal, but not high enough to be diabetes, putting them at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
How to Identify: A fasting blood glucose of 100 to 125 or a blood glucose of 140 to 199 two hours after drinking a special sugar solution means you have prediabetes. Chances are your fasting blood glucose was measured the last time you had a checkup. Ask your doctor if you need a "post-prandial" test.

Fit's Tip: If you think you are at risk for any disease, it is always wise to see your doctor.

Fat: What No One is Telling You

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 09:30:00 -0700

As obesity is such a widespread topic in the media these days, it can be hard to take an objective look at the issue, especially for those who are not faced with the problem, rather than looking at it as a character flaw or a complete lack of self-control.

The film Fat: What No One is Telling You takes you through several personal encounters with obesity. It also explains our psychological responses to food, and shows how external pressures (oversized restaurant portions and the unending barrage of food advertisement) make fighting fat so difficult, both on the personal and national levels. The film premieres April 11th on PBS at 9pm ET, but you can watch a preview now on PBS.org. You know I'll be watching!

Shaq's Taking on Childhood Obesity - Kazaam!!!

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 17:30:00 -0800

It is being reported that NBA basketball player, Shaquille O'Neal, has been shooting more than just hoops recently.

Shaq is currently in Florida shooting his first reality TV show (yet to be named) that will focus on childhood obesity and health. The new ABC reality show, airing sometime this summer, will track the lives of several children and O'Neal will be on hand to coach them through a weight loss program. He will also try his hand at lobbying politicians on causes including school nutrition. Further than just having Shaq as the star, the new show will also focus on the children's lives outside of school and examine the reasons behind their eating habits.

Despite the over abundance of reality TV shows these days, I am sure I'll be watching. Shaq is definitely one entertaining guy and you guys know that I am all for supporting any efforts against childhood obesity.

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Obesity Surgery for Teens Is On The Rise

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 14:15:00 -0800

Obesity among children has become a growing problem. Kids don't exercise much, they eat tons of junk food, and spend hours on the couch watching TV and playing video games.

The number of U.S. children going through obesity surgery has tripled in recent years. At this rate, more than 1,000 kids under the age of 18 will have gone through such operations to cure their obesity this year.

Obesity operations, including gastric bypass and gastric banding, are much more common among adults, but it appears that it's less risky for teens. They have slightly shorter hospital stays than adults. Also, the mortality rate is significantly better there were no in-hospital deaths in the under 18 demographic. That's compared to 212 in-hospital adult deaths out of 104,702 obesity operations.

The youngest patients to have this operation were about 12 years old at the time, but most were older teens. The 20 year old, in the photo to the right, had a gastric bypass surgery when he was 17. At the time, he was 5'8" and 385 pounds. After struggling with his weight since age 11, with nothing working to decrease his weight, obesity surgery was his last resort.

I do feel it is really sad that anyone has to resort to this, especially children under 17 years of age. I think adults need to be positive role models for children on this issue - children mimic the behaviors around them. As soon as kids begin to eat, talk, and walk, the adults in their lives need to "model" healthy behaviors. We can teach them that green beans are tasty (I scream, you scream. We all scream for green beans!) and family walks are fun.

What do you think about all of this?

Prescription4Love - Dating Service for Chronic Condition

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:30:00 -0800

If you're single and have a special health condition, now there's a dating service specifically for you. It's called Prescription4Love - Dating Service.

Whether you have an STD like herpes or HIV, diabetes, cancer, IBS, infertility, allergies, obesity, deafness, if you are a recovering alcoholic, or have another special health condition, this online dating service allows you to find a friend or lover who understands what you're going through.

You can develop a supportive connection with a sensitive individual, who will know about your illness or problem right from the beginning, so your relationship will begin with honesty and trust.

Finding others with similar circumstances, interests, and goals is a natural desire for everyone. And now it's easier than ever.

It's free for now, but soon they will have a low monthly fee, part of which will be donated to charity.

Black Soy Beans Could Be the New Wonder Food

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 09:25:17 -0800

Thirty two rats in Korea agree, black soy beans are helping to prevent obesity, lower cholesterol levels and possibly even reduce your risk for Type 2 diabetes! Yes this new study on rodents seems to indicate that the gorging on black soy beans can significantly reduce help to control weight gain.

The study found several beneficial reason to eat these beans:

After two weeks, the rats getting 10 percent of their energy from black soya gained half as much weight as those in the control group, and their total blood cholesterol and LDL (so-called "bad") cholesterol fell by 25 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

It seems that the soy protein may affect how the liver metabolizes fat by preventing new fatty acids and cholesterol from forming together. Which in turn affects weight gain, especially in the abdominal area, which in turns affects the body's ability to create insulin. This is why some experts are interpreting this study as a possible means of fighting Type 2 diabetes.

Just as an interesting aside his metabolic effect may explain the traditional Asian use of black soy to treat Type 2 diabetes.

We have heard about wonder foods before and this study only involved less than three dozen rats. I really hope that we can soon all believe in the power of soy, but you don't need to start taking black soy supplements just yet. I am just dubious about miracle foods since garlic, considered a great dietary means for lowering cholesterol was recently found to have no real effect on it.

High Blood Pressure: What Does it Mean?

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 04:00:03 -0800

Every time you go to the doctor, they wrap a little inflatable cuff around your upper arm, pump air into it, and squeeze your poor little bicep until it just about explodes. They're measuring your blood pressure, but how does it work?

The air is pumped until your circulation is cut off (you know, that uncomfortable feeling). When they place a stethoscope under the cuff, they can't hear anything. Then as the air is slowly let out of the cuff, blood begins to flow again and they can hear your blood pulsing.

This is the point of greatest pressure (called Systolic), and is usually expressed as how high it forces a column of mercury to rise in a tube (that's why they look at that little dial). 120 mm is about normal.

Then, as more and more air is let out of the cuff, the pressure exerted by the cuff is so little that the sound of the blood pulsing against the artery walls subsides and there is silence again. This is the point of lowest pressure (called Diastolic). 80 mm is normal.

Normal blood pressure is 120/80 (systolic/diastolic) or less. When both numbers start to go way up, you've got high blood pressure.

If you want to know why high blood pressure is called the "silent killer," then

World's Fattest Countries Revealed

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 03:30:00 -0800

Did you know that there are currently 1.6 billion overweight adults in the world?

Forget all this small city talk, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranks the countries with the greatest percentage of overweight people of its adult population (ages 15+).

The United States used to take the cake (no pun intended) on this list but experts say it is not surprising that people across the globe are increasingly becoming overweight. They place the blame on urbanization and the influx of Western ways of life including fast food choices, little exercise and stressful jobs. This list made me realize that not only is the population growing (in mass), that I really need to brush up on my geography skills.

1. Nauru (94.5%)
2. Micronesia, Federated States of (91.1%)
3. Cook Islands (90.9%)
4. Tonga (90.8%)
5. Niue (81.7%)
6. Samoa (80.4%)
7. Palau (78.4%)
8. Kuwait 74.2%)
9. United States (74.1%)
10. Kiribati (73.6%)
11. Dominica (71.0%)
12. Barbados (69.7%)
13. Argentina (69.4%)
14. Egypt (69.4%)
15. Malta (68.7%)
16. Greece (68.5%)
17. New Zealand (68.4%)
18. United Arab Emirates (68.3%)
19. Mexico (68.1%)
20. Trinidad and Tobago (67.9%)
21. Australia (67.4%)
22. Belarus (66.8%)
23. Chile (65.3%)
24. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (65.2%)
25. Seychelles (64.6%)

Theres 75 more, so

Obesity: Not a Good Career Move

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 03:34:17 -0800

Those extra pounds may be bringing you down in more ways than you may know.

It is being reported that a 10% increase in your body mass index (BMI), can cut a man's real earnings by 3.3 percent and a woman's by 1.8 percent. This new research comes from nine European countries showing the negative impact of weight on wages is stronger in the "oil belt" nations which include Spain, Greece, Italy and Portugal. However, in the so-called "beer belt" countries (I didn't even know there was a "beer belt") of Austria, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium and Finland gaining weight does not have a significant effect on salary.

The real question is whether these findings are due to discrimination against overweight and obese people or to health problems or depression that may limit their productivity.

What's your BMI? Check out the Fit Calculator to find out.

Chew Yourself Slender: Obesity Gum in the Works

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 10:35:00 -0800

So far it seems that there is a chewing gum out there for just about everything. Upset stomach, chew this gum. Can't quit smoking, try that gum. So, it was only a matter of time before an anti-obesity gum was released.

The BBC is reporting that a team at The Imperial College London is developing a drug based on a natural gut hormone that mimics the body's "feeling full" response. The gum would contain the hormone pancreatic polypeptide (PP), which the body produces after every meal to ensure eating does not run out of control. The theory is that obese people like to chew and that they do not have enough of this hormone and moderate doses will help make them feel full. When the gum was given to people in the experiment, they felt less hungry and ate between 15% and 25% less after the PP treatment.

The gum is not out or approved just yet, but keep an eye out as it's just a matter of time.

Diet Soda Makes You Fat

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 10:45:00 -0800

Most people drink diet soda because they are watching their weight, which means counting calories and fat grams. Makes sense, right?

Wrong! Recent research shows that the more diet soda people drink, the more weight they gain. Researchers are not exactly sure why this occurs, but fingers are being pointed at the fact that people consciously eat more if they drink diet soda because they think they can. The thought process they are referring to is: "I'll have a whopper with cheese and a regular coke. You know what, make that a diet coke and add on a large fry."

Soda's reputation is going down the toilet (literally, in some ways). First, we find out that soda makes for brittle bones, and now it can make you fat. I'll stick with juice, tea, water and coffee, thanks.

Fit's Tip: For food it's everything in moderation, no matter what you put in your mouth. A diet soda won't help in your weight loss quest if you're still getting way too many calories from other foods (not to mention the amount of artificial sweeteners you're taking in).

"Infectobesity"- Sounds Odd Doesn't it?

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 02:03:14 -0800

A CNN.com reported a recent study by the University of Washington's Center for Genome Sciences has found that "microbial component" appears to contribute to obesity. Basically researchers found that obese humans had a lower percentage of a family of bacteria called Bacteroidetes and more of a type of bacteria called Firmicutes in the gut.

What is still unclear is if the Firmicutes grow as a result of being obese or if being obese is a result of having more Firmicutes, however figuring this out could mean major progress in the fight against obesity in the United States and malnutrition in third world countries.

Diet Supplement Combats Obesity

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 11:57:49 -0800

CBC News is reporting that a dietary supplement, called Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), helps to combat weight gain in overweight adults.

CLA is a type of polyunsaturated fat that is found naturally in dairy products and meat. The study showed that participants lost an average of 2.2 pounds (over 6-months). What's more? They lost fat over the abdomen, which is the fat that increases the risk for heart disease.

While mixed CLA supplements are available in pharmacies and health-food stores, dietitians caution against expecting that the pill alone will lead to weight loss without increasing your physical activity and healthy food intake. An alternative to taking CLA supplements is by getting the fatty acids from foods such as low-fat dairy products.

Fat People Don't Go to Heaven? Since When?

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 07:12:36 -0800

The lengths that people will go to, just to lose weight, never cease to amaze me, but this method may take the cake.

Recently I have been hearing a lot about the Remnant Fellowship Church in Franklin, Tennessee. This church preaches about God and weight loss in the Weigh Down Diet program. Amazingly enough, Weigh Down is the most successful Christian weight loss program in the country, which has many people flocking to Gwen Shamblin (pictured), the leader of Remnant, like fixated moths to a bright light.

The basics of the Remnant Fellowship are this: overeating is a sin. Her book The Weigh Down Diet, which has sold over a million copies worldwide stresses the benefits of eating tiny bites and objects to exercising to offset your caloric intake. The scare tactics and shame methods keep followers in line by telling them overeating will result in hell.

The best part. Remnant does not allow theological debate, and free will is basically out the door. Shamblin directs those with questions to her 800 number.

My take on this whole thing: The best way to lose weight from the Weigh Down Diet is by running (very, very fast) in the opposite direction of the Remnant Fellowship. This diet is cult-like and unhealthy, not only for the body but for the mind as well. I am all for a support group when trying to get fit, but not a support group that tells you it's either weight loss or hell. Shamblin is making millions while her followers are contemplating suicide, that's just not right.

Americans May be Turning Into Giants

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 08:30:00 -0800

According to new U.S. Census Bureau data, Americans spend an average of about eight-and-a-half hours a day doing sedentary activities such as watching television, using computers (though I think it's OK if you're on FIT), reading, listening to the radio, or going to the movies. This sedentary lifestyle is the main contributing factor as to why we are the most obese people on the planet.

Other contributing factor found: Americans consumed more than twice as much high fructose corn syrup per person than in 1980. In addition to getting fatter, we're also getting taller.

What's more? As health-care costs continue to increase, more Americans pray for their health than invest in all forms of alternative medicine or therapy combined.

Dear the all mighty, please don't let this double-triple burger be bad for me...

Fit's Tip: Don't become a statistic and get moving. If you're one that spends 8.5 hours sedentary, then start cutting back and start moving. Go for a walk or take the dog out -- anything, even if it's small, will help.

I Don't Think You're Ready for This Jelly

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 11:15:00 -0800

And it shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly...

It used to be that this saying was endearing and brought forth warm and fuzzy memories of Old Saint Nick. The times, they are a-changing so now that belly full of jelly means that Santa's got a bit of an obesity problem on his hands and that is no laughing matter.

A survey of mall Santas in Scotland, found that the average waist size was 47 inches, which is seven inches more than is considered safe and having an especially large mid-section is associated with heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Looks like Santa needs to lay off the cookies this year.

Fit's Tip: For Women, having a waist of 35 inches or more is a key indicator of abdominal obesity if your body mass index is less than 25.

Don't know what your Body Mass Index (BMI) is? Check out Fit's Calculator to find out.

Spray Obesity Away

FitSugar — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 13:00:00 -0800

Compellis Pharmaceuticals, a company that develops different and unique therapeutics for the treatment of obesity has just been granted the patent for a new invention that is supposed to easily fight obesity.

The invention will inhibit olfactory neurosensory function to treat obesity and related disorders. In other words, the nasal spray will curb cravings by blocking the sense of smell and taste. Think about it, that Cinnabon craving at the airport would be far less tempting if you can't even smell or taste it.

Hmm, I'm thinking it would be a great way to get my kids to eat their veggies.

Good Genes Gone Bad

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 08:35:00 -0800

Pretty soon you're going to be able to blame your mom for giving you more than you may have originally thought.

Recent reports claim that your body shape is determined primarily by your genes. Researchers identified three fat-predicting genes: T-box 15, glypican 4, and homeo box A5 (... the names sound more like the names of rappers than the names of genes if you ask me). This could explain why you may feel like a pear when your co-worker (who eats worse than you) is more like a banana.

Why should we care about this news? Well the newly found genes may finally give researchers clues for obesity drug development in the future. But for now, if you feel like your own genes may be working against you, eat a healthy and balanced diet and start exercising.

WHO gets involved!

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 09:10:09 -0800

The world of weight seems to be full of extremes. We see women in Hollywood and the fashion world suffering from the too skinnys. We also keep hearing, almost daily, how obesity is on the rise in the U.S., Europe and now China. Well the World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to get involved.

Fox News reports that WHO created a charter to combat obesity and 53 European nations have climbed on board. Their new charter requires governments to adopt regulations for safer roads to promote cycling and walking. In the Netherlands I remember seeing everyone biking – women older than my mom, little kids, and I even saw one woman carrying her cello while biking. Also on WHO's agenda calls for access to healthy foods in low income, urban areas. I know this is a problem in the U.S. too – you can’t even buy fresh produce with food stamps. The charter also addresses childhood obesity which is on the rise--most definitely in the U.S.

Will these things reverse the trend? Probably not, but I sure do think they can help.