Obesity May Shrink Your Brain

Study also find US has highest BMI among high-income countries

(NEWSER) - Almost half a billion adults—10% of the adult population worldwide—were obese as of 2008, a new study finds. That’s nearly twice the 1980 rate, reports Scientific American . On average, each decade has seen a body mass index inch up 0.4 to an average of 23.8 in 2008; a BMI of more than 25 is considered overweight, while more than 30 is labeled obese. "Obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are no longer Western problems or problems of wealthy nations," said a scientist. More»

In study, 50% would like to be 3 sizes skinnier for popularity

(NEWSER) - Half of the 6-year-old girls in Britain would like to be a lot skinnier than they are. That’s the conclusion of a Cambridge study that asked the pint-size participants to choose an ideal body from digitally altered photographs of themselves. Fifty percent went with the skinniest image, which was three sizes smaller than their actual body. Many said that having a tinier frame would make them more popular, reports the Telegraph . More»

New study will try to eliminate extra pounds for healthier mom and baby

(NEWSER) - The changing tides of pregnancy and weight research have yielded a novel program that hopes to produce healthy moms and babies: the no-weight gain pregnancy for obese women. A 4-year study will provide expectant mothers with dietary support to keep extra pounds to zero, or at least under 3% of starting body weight. Researchers think deliveries may be smoother and produce healthier babies—and obese moms may learn a thing or two. 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»

Heavier people weigh on planet by excess eating, driving

(NEWSER) - People's carbon footprints grow as their weight increases, Reuters reports. By eating and tending to drive more than average, the world's billion overweight people each create an extra ton of carbon emissions annually, a recent study has calculated. "When it comes to food consumption, moving about in a heavy body is like driving around in a gas guzzler," write the researchers. More»