The Consumer Reports National Research Center recently surveyed a national sample of 1,234 U.S. adults about their eating habits and how they maintained a healthy diet. The results? We think we’re eating healthier than we are, and we’re in denial about our own obesity. [More]
obesity
UK Asks McDonald's, Pepsi, KFC To Help Write Health Policy
By 11.16.10
In a move that seems as sensible as asking your creepy uncle who just got out of jail to babysit for the weekend, the UK is looking to such luminaries in the health food industry as McDonald’s, KFC and Pepsi for assistance in writing government policy on obesity and other health problems. [More]
Study: Credit Cards Are Making You Fat
By 10.28.10
No, it’s not that second Baconator I ate yesterday or the 6-pack of Schlitz I had afterward that’s causing my clothes not to fit anymore. It’s the credit card I used to pay for them — or at least that what the authors of a new study are theorizing. [More]
Study: Sugary Beverages Have Tenuous Relationship Between Reality And Nutrition Info
By 10.27.10
Adding fuel to the HFCS vs. sugar fire, a new study claims that not only does the actual amount of sugar in a sweetened beverage vary wildly from what the nutritional information says, but that drinks sweetened with High-Fructose Corn Syrup contain significantly more fructose than had been expected. [More]
Junk Food Binges Acts Like Crack On Brain
By 10.19.10
Overdosing on junk food acts like heroin or crack on the brain, a new study finds. [More]
Survey: Nightlights Make You Fat
By 10.12.10
An Ohio State University study found that exposure to light while you sleep can fatten you up. This is especially true if you happen to be a mouse. [More]
Is Obesity A Virus?
By 9.20.10
“Kachoo!” could be the sound of a kid getting fat. New research shows children were 50 lbs heavier on average if they had been exposed to adenovirus 36, a virus that causes the common cold and mild stomach upset. [More]
Man Runs Away From Being Fat, Loses 120 Lbs
By 9.20.10
Ben Davis was 348 lbs and depressed. At the bottom of his hole and sick of being single, he called up his brother and said, “I need to get my life together.” His brother said, “All right, I’m signing us up for a 5k. It’s in three weeks.” [More]
Harry Potter Theme Park Modifies Ride To Accommodate Larger Visitors
By 9.20.10
The “Forbidden Journey” ride at Universal Studios’ Harry Potter park just got a little less forbidden, at least for some obese tourists. The park has added new larger sized seats to the ride, so at least some of those who were turned away in previous months might have better luck now. [More]
Calorie Count Rules Coming To Theaters, Airplanes, Convenience Stores, Supermarket Food Courts
By 8.31.10
The FDA says the law that requires restaurant chains with more than 20 locations to post calorie counts also applies to other types of businesses, reports the Wall Street Journal. Specifically, movie theaters, airplanes, trains, food courts in grocery stores, and convenience stores are all considered chains and will soon have to start following the law. The agency hasn’t made up its mind yet whether things like salad bars in grocery stores will have to fall in line. The FDA will announce official guidelines in December. [More]
Sitting Too Much Can Kill You
By 7.22.10
You may want to stand up to read this. According to a new study from the American Cancer Society, spending too much time sitting down can increase your risk of death, even if you’re otherwise physically active. The study apparently did not address the risks of lying down, so we assume it’s okay to replace our office chair with a couch in order to improve our health. [More]
Even Our Fittest State Is Still Pretty Fat
By 7.8.10
According to a new study on your ballooning bottom, Colorado, America’s fittest state, has more adult obesity now (19.1%) than Mississipi, America’s fattest state (33.8%), did in 1991 (15.7%). [More]
Hagrid-Sized Humans Can't Ride New Harry Potter Attraction
By 6.28.10
If you visit the Harry Potter theme park this summer and happen to see a relatively large person poking himself with his brand new wand and muttering reduccio!, don’t be confused. He was probably just told he can’t ride the Forbidden Journey dark ride at the park. [More]
Friendly's Burger Has Grilled Cheese Sandwiches For Buns
By 6.21.10
Yes, the latest assault on America’s waistline comes in the form of Friendly’s recently launched Grilled Cheese BurgerMelt. Move over, Double Down, there’s a new “something with far more calories than bread as a bun” sandwich in town. [More]
Food Companies Pledge To Slash Calories In The Name Of Slimmer Kids
By 5.18.10
Some of the nation’s largest food producers have promised to take 1.5 trillion calories out of products within the next five years, the Associated Press reports. [More]
Watch Your Weight By Gorging On Chicken Nuggets
By 3.8.10
For every ounce of common sense inside of you that knows the last thing you should eat when trying to watch your weight is a deep-fried, battered piece of processed chicken “meat.” But don’t tell that to the folks at Weight Watchers who have actually given their seal of approval to three separate meals available at McDonald’s in New Zealand and Australia. [More]
Obese Students Forced To Take Fitness Class To Graduate
By 12.2.09
Lincoln University of Pennsylvania is requiring obese students to take a fitness class before they graduate, DailyTech reports. [More]
Does Posting Calorie Counts On Menus Sway Consumers?
By 10.6.09
Starting last year, fast food restaurants in New York City were required to list the total calories of every item on the menu. The idea was to provide greater transparency for consumers so that they can make smarter choices. Has it worked? Professors at New York University and Yale have completed a study that shows that the labeling makes consumers think they’re being healthier, but in fact they’re ordering more total calories than before the law went into effect.
