Fit Trumps Fat in Longevity

Sadly, walking to the fast food place doesn't help

(NEWSER) - Move away from the cupcake shop. No, literally, move away. A new study found that—for women, at least—the more restaurants within a five-minute walk from your home, the more likely you are to be heavy, the Wall Street Journal reports. That’s right: Just because you can walk to the pizza joint doesn’t mean you’re canceling out the calories you consume there. More»

Get more sleep, eat some fat, cut down on sugar: experts

(NEWSER) - Kicking that meth habit could take decades off your face in about 5 seconds, but some other less obviously dangerous activities also take a toll. Prevention lists nine other innocent habits that are secretly aging you:

• You don't sleep enough: Pulling an all-nighter worked when you were 19. Now, it's adding weight gain, high blood pressure, and diabetes to those bags under your eyes.

Obesity, smoking blamed as US falls behind in death rate before 60

(NEWSER) - America is lagging far behind other countries in preventing premature death among adults and now ranks behind Chile, Tunisia, and Peru, warn the authors of a new study. The researchers analyzed data on deaths before age 60 and found that over the last 20 years, the US has tumbled from 34th in female mortality and 41st in male to 49th for women and 45th for men, Reuters reports. Icelandic men and Cypriot women are the most likely to see their 60th birthdays. More»

Study shows you can be 'obese' at a normal weight

(NEWSER) - You don't have to look fat to be fat, a new study suggests. A report from the Mayo Clinic finds that people of a normal weight with a high percentage of body fat are at greater risk for heart problems than those with lower fat. In cases of "normal weight obesity," healthy-looking bodies essentially "behave like they are obese," says the lead researcher. Up to 30 million Americans may fall into this category—but many won't know it. More»

(NEWSER) - A few extra pounds can actually be good for you, the Globe and Mail reports. A recent long-term study of Canadian health records shows that people classified as overweight—with a Body Mass Index of 25 to 30—are 17% less likely to die than those with “normal” BMI, between 18.5 and 25. The study also found that extremely thin and obese people have a far higher mortality rate. More»