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sQ1=new Array();sQ1[1]=new Array("http://www.candgnews.com/Homepage-Articles/2007/03-14-07/TF-BARIATRIC.asp","Doctors help bariatric patients connect to share experiences, advice ","","other’s efforts. “Unlike some other groups, bariatric patients tend to have many networks and support groups — they’re very supportive of each other,” Mucci said. “We decided to hold a mixer in the office in 2006, and everyone enjoyed the experience so much we decided to do it again, but in a more relaxed setting.” About 30 patients attended the March 7 event at the Somerset Inn, sharing hors d’oeuvres and experiences. Mucci said bariatric surgery, including the cosmetic aspect, has a life-changing effect on people, and a support network is important. “We have a wide spectrum of patients. Some have had just the gastric bypass, others lose weight on their own and are looking to have plastic surgery. After a bypass, many choose to take off the significant volumes of tissue they still have from the weight loss that’s uncomfortable, and it’s like closing a chapter in their lives for them.” Mucci said it generally takes patients approximately four to eight weeks to recover from each surgery. Stay-at-home dad Christian Amundin said he appreciates the chance to speak in a “relaxed setting” to doctors and other patients. Amundin underwent gastric bypass in January of 2005 and has since lost more than 200 pounds. This was his second time attending the bariatric patient mixer. “I was 435 when I started, and now all the bad stuff, like the diabetes, is gone,” he said. “I feel like a million dollars. I just wish I could’ve done it 30 years ago.” Amundin also chose to have an abdominoplasty, or “tummy tuck,” to remove excess tissue. “To be honest, I’ve never heard one patient say bad things about the surgery. Everyone was tickled pink about it.” Birmingham resident Kristi Hansen, who also had both surgeries, said it’s fun to share her experience with people considering undergoing either treatment. “When I attended it last year, I was just starting to feel my way around for whether or not I wanted the second surgery, so it was helpful to meet the staff and talk to other ");sQ1[2]=new Array("http://www.foodconsumer.org/7777/8888/B_ody_W_eight_32/031203252007_Weight-Loss_Surgery_Caution_Take_Your_Vitamins.shtml","Weight-Loss Surgery Caution: Take Your Vitamins","","a rare but serious brain condition linked to vitamin deficiency, a new study warns. Taking the recommended dose of supplements after surgery can prevent the brain illness, called Wernicke encephalopathy, which is caused by a deficiency of thiamine, a B vitamin. The syndrome is "a problem everyone needs to be aware of," said Dr. Neil Hutcher, immediate past president of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery and director of the bariatric surgical service at Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond, Va. Hutcher was not involved in the study, which is published in the March 13 issue of Neurology. Wernicke encephalopathy can include vomiting, confusion, lack of coordination and visual changes such as nystagmus, an involuntary eye movement that can limit vision. Doctors who perform weight-loss surgeries have known for years about this post-op complication, said study author Dr. Sonal Singh, an instructor in internal medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, in Winston-Salem, N.C. Singh is an internist and does not perform the gastric bypass surgeries. But he got interested in studying Wernicke encephalopathy after he treated a case a few years ago and then began noticing other patients with the problem. "Absorption of vitamins is decreased after most gastric bypass surgery, so supplements are prescribed to make sure they get enough," Singh said. Still, some patients may fail to take the supplements as prescribed, boosting risks for low thiamine and Wernicke encephalopathy. Taking a closer look at the issue, Singh and co-researcher Dr. Abhay Kumar of the University of Iowa combed the medical literature and uncovered 32 cases of Wernicke encephalopathy after obesity surgery. The 32 patients had various types of obesity surgery, but the most common type was Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, in which some of the stomach and small intestine is bypassed. Singh found that most instances of Wernicke encephalopathy occurred from 4 to 12 weeks after the surgery, and that one case came on 18 months later. Most of the patients, 27, were women. When the researchers evaluated the cases, they found some patterns. The complication "usually occurs in younger women, under age 55," Singh said. "It usually occurs between one to three months after surgery." "Vomiting is a risk factor,'' he said. "If you [frequently] vomit, you are more likely to get it." Of the 32 patients, 13 made full recoveries after treatment with vitamin B1, but others continued to have problems. One patient died while hospitalized from septic shock, Singh wrote. "Some got the problem despite taking the supplement," he said. But, in many of the cases, the patients were not taking the supplements as prescribed. One thing is clear: Wernicke encephalopathy affects only a very small proportion of the 170,000 people who undergo obesity surgery in the United States each year, Singh said. Still, because the condition can be permanent and is preventable and treatable, it's important for physicians and patients to be aware of it, Singh said. Hutcher agreed that the risk to any one patient is small. Wernicke encephalopathy is "not at epidemic proportions," he said, noting that 32 patients with the syndrome were identified "out of hundreds of thousands of bariatric surgeries." Hutcher estimated that, overall, there must be ");sQ1[3]=new Array("http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=AP&Date=20070314&ID=6612719","Associated Press Business News: Obesity Surgery Complication Studied - MSN Money","Associated Press business news by provider, Obesity Surgery Complication Studied","Financial Times Forbes Motley Fool MSNBC Reuters TheStreet.com Business Wire Market Wire PrimeNewswire PR Newswire News by Topic Companies Stock Market Economy Industry Commentary This Week Index MSN Money Experts Jim Jubak Jon Markman Liz Pulliam Weston MP Dunleavey More Experts March 14, 2007 7:35 PM ETObesity Surgery Complication Studiedadvertisement Related information E-mail this article Print-friendly version Discuss this articleAll Associated Press News RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Doctors warn that a few obesity surgery patients have developed a serious neurological condition, with symptoms of confusion and poor coordination, linked to a lack of vitamin B1. Wernicke encephalopathy, which is caused by a thiamine deficiency, is normally associated with severe alcoholism or chronic malnutrition. However, researchers say it can also occur within a few months of obesity surgery if patients stop taking prescribed vitamin supplements or if they vomit frequently, preventing vitamins from being absorbed. Patients who show symptoms "need to seek help immediately and get injections of thiamine as early as possible," said study author Sonal Singh, an instructor in internal medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. "For doctors, the message is that they should keep this in their minds when they see these patients." Singh said cases of Wernicke encephalopathy may increase as the number of bariatric surgeries performed in the United States continues to grow. About 170,000 obesity surgeries were done in 2005, up from 120,000 the year before and 16,000 in 1992. Philip Schauer, the president of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, said that while Wernicke encephalopathy isn't unique to obesity surgery or a common outcome after such procedures, he agrees it's something doctors should watch for. "A mild degree of nausea after surgery and rare, episodic vomiting is really common in the first several days and weeks after surgery. If it's an isolated thing, one or two episodes and that's it, it's not a problem," said Schauer, who is also director of bariatric surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. More severe symptoms should be addressed immediately, he said. "The surgeon and the health care team ... must be aware of somebody having very severe ");sQ1[4]=new Array("http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070306/NEWS01/703060401/1077/COL02","The Enquirer - This article is no longer available.","","Submit Content  |  Subscribe  |  Customer Service  |  Place An Ad Weather Events Visitor's Guide Classifieds Jobs Cars Homes Apartments Shopping Dating Search This Site: Cincinnati.Com NKY.com Enquirer Post CiN Weekly Community Press & Recorder cincyMOMS.com Cincinnati USA Data Center Home Local News Sports Business Opinion Life Entertainment Nation/World Obituaries Blogs Search Cincinnati.Com  » The Enquirer  »  » This article is no longer available. Last Updated: 9:29 am | Tuesday, March 6, 2007 This article is no longer available online for free. You may be able to find it in The Enquirer NewsBank. Cincinnati.Com  » The Enquirer  »  » This article is no longer available.  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Users of this site agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights (Terms updated March 2007)");sQ1[5]=new Array("https://www.azcentral.com/my/zage.php?referer=http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/0210mr-bariatric0208Z6.html","azcentral.com | a few simple questions","","To help us keep azcentral.com available to all users free of charge, please answer the following questions. You should not be asked these questions again during future visits using the same computer. Please fill out the form below to proceed. Enter your e-mail address if you want to receive special offers and discounts or newsletters from azcentral.com. These are the only questions you need to answer to gain access to azcentral.com. I am a Male  Female I was born in I live in ZIP or Postal Code  in United States Canada Mexico Other I want to receive special offers and discounts from azcentral.com Please deliver Chandler Republic (weekly) newsletter to my inbox! My e-mail address: Questions?\\Troubleshooting     Privacy Policy");sQ1[6]=new Array("http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/2/prweb502427.htm","Noted Plastic Surgeon Sees Rising Trend in Body Contouring Surgery Among Weight-loss Surgery Patients ","PR:  Oak Park, Ill. plastic surgeon and author Allan Parungao, MD, notes the rising trend in body contouring or skin reduction surgery among people who have lost a massive amount of weight -- a 22% increase from 2004 to 2005 alone. With more than 100,000 Americans undergoing gastric bypass and lap-band s","muscle tone, but it cannot improve skin tone. After bariatric surgery, many people are left with large amounts of loose excess skin on their abdomen, arms, waist, thighs, breasts -- even their eyes and face. What's the answer? "Many people who have lost a massive amount of weight are turning to body contouring or skin reduction surgery to free themselves of loose, hanging skin and enjoy a normal appearance," says Dr. Parungao. "The most common skin reduction procedure is the panniculectomy." What is a panniculectomy? A panniculectomy is a plastic surgery procedure to remove the apron of loose excess skin, tissue and fat -- known as the pannus -- that occurs in the lower portion of the abdominal wall after massive weight loss or sometimes after pregnancy. "The pannus can weigh as much as 100 pounds in some individuals, and can extend as low as the knees," Dr. Parungao explains. "Some patients have two or three of these redundant skin folds." Not surprisingly, a pannus can interfere with personal hygiene. "The extra skin hanging over the pubic region gets moist and often has a bad odor," says Dr. Parungao. "People may suffer from skin infections beneath the skin folds. Often, a pannus also leads to back pain." Living with a pannus is extremely uncomfortable. The loose, hanging skin can make it very difficult to find clothing to fit appropriately. Even walking, sitting or standing may become difficult. Is a panniculectomy the same as a tummy tuck? No -- there's an important distinction between the two. "A panniculectomy simply removes the overhanging skin and fat from the lower abdomen," Dr.Parungao explains. "A tummy tuck removes excess abdominal skin and fat as well -- but unlike a panniculectomy, it also tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall and repositions the navel." Tummy tucks are commonly performed on women who have overstretched abdominal skin following pregnancy -- and who don't intend to bear more children. Does insurance cover a panniculectomy? In many cases, insurance will cover a panniculectomy if: The pannus hangs below the crotch level; The patient has lost 100 pounds or more, has been at a stable weight for at least six months, and, if the patient has had weight loss surgery, the operation was at least 18 months ago; The patient has a documented history of recurrent rashes or non-healing ulcers for at least three months; and The pannus causes demonstrated difficulty with walking, sitting and standing, or interferes with the activities of daily living. Each insurance plan has its own provisions ");sQ1[7]=new Array("http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/142747/studies_show_weight_loss_surgery_holds.html","Studies Show Weight Loss Surgery Holds Promise for Children and Teens - Associated Content","Check out Studies Show Weight Loss Surgery Holds Promise for Children and Teens - Submitted by Melissa W at Associated Content","Previously, the number of children having weight loss surgery has been very small, but due to the major increase in the number of overweight children and improvements in surgical techniques, many doctors and parents are now considering it as a viable option. For many years, weight loss surgery for children was considered very risky as it carries a death rate of 1 in 50. According to federal statistics, only 350 children in the United States had the surgery in 2004. A large scale study will begin shortly to look at how children respond to various types of weight loss surgery. A study is currently under progress at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago and at the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian. In addition, New York University recently completed a study examining the effectiveness of laparoscopic gastric banding (otherwise known as "gastric banding" or "lap band") surgery in children. The Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is starting a study this spring to examine how children respond to different types of weight loss surgery including gastric bypass, where a pouch is stapled off from the rest of the stomach and connected to the small intestine. Three other hospitals received approval to investigate the effectiveness of gastric banding, where an elastic collar around the stomach limits a person's food intake. Results from the study conducted at NYU were reported in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery this month. A total of 53 girls and boys between the ages of 13 and 17 participated in the study. Results indicated that they were able to lose half of their weight over 18 months and did not suffer any major complications. Children were only considered as candidates for surgery after they spent six months trying to lose weight using under the supervision of the hospital or a physician. Crystal Kasprowicz, 17, of St James, NY, said that she lost 100 pounds after having the surgery. Prior to the surgery, she took medication for rapid heartbeat, and was showing signs of developing diabetes. She made efforts to curtail her weight gain such as dieting and exercise, but all of them failed. She no longer needs medication and her blood sugar levels are normal. Page: 1 2 Next page » Related themes: 2006 PMA winners | Abandonment | AC Review This! Program | Acupuncture | AIDS Awareness | All Things Alcohol | Alzheimer's Awareness Month | Anti-smoking | Asthma | Athletes More by Melissa W view all Houston Father Admits to Putting Baby in Refrigerator Before Microwave The Early Morning Challenge: Nesquick Vs. Carnation ");sQ1[8]=new Array("http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1079055","DNA - Mumbai - Twisting the fat into a knot - Daily News & Analysis","Riddhima, a 28-year-old executive at a suburban hospital, is out to test the elasticity of the human body. ","Mortar dnaindia.com | Mumbai | Report Mumbai CHANGE TEXT A A A Post your comment Twisting the fat into a knot Seemaa Kamdar Saturday, February 10, 2007 01:50 IST For the latest Mumbai News on mobile sms MUM to 4567 Email Article Print Article Most Emailed Articles Most Viewed Articles Share this article RSS Feed Digg it Add to del.icio.us Google bookmarks Yahoo! bookmarks Add to Newsvine Add to Reddit To reprint this article, contact 3DSyndication Bariatric surgery is increasingly popular with the young for inducing weight loss Riddhima, a 28-year-old executive at a suburban hospital, is out to test the elasticity of the human body. At 86 kg, she plans to go for gastric banding, a procedure that will reduce the size of her stomach and thereby her food intake by tying a band around her stomach. At a later stage, the band may be removed at will, just as one would unwind a balloon twisted in the middle. Read latest news at DNA Bariatric surgery, also termed ‘obesity surgery’, involves a series of operations conducted to induce weight loss. In this age of lifestyle diseases, this procedure is becoming increasingly popular. “Of late, the number and age of people who need this intervention has shot up,” said Dr Shashank Shah, a laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon at Ruby Hall clinic and Wockhardt hospital, at a press meet on Saturday. There are different types of obesity surgery such as gastric banding — tying up the stomach into two, gastric bypass — bypassing the upper part of the small intestine, and a sleeve gastrectomy. Dr Shah, who claims to have done 150 bariatric procedures over four years, says surgery is not advised until conventional options don’t work. “We recommend surgery only if the person is morbidly obese which is defined by a body mass index of 33,” he says. Before surgery, the patient is put on a low calorie diet and asked to perform breathing exercises to reduce the chances of medical disorders. 1 | 2 NEXT PAGE Post your comment More articles in Mumbai » Latest Mumbai headlines: DJ Aqeel tests negative, let off Court issues notices to Haseena Parkar, three others Sanjay Dutt among those seeking jail exemption under POA Be the first to rate this article! Current Rating 0.0 Post your comment Your Name (This name will appear below your comment.) Your email ID (Will not be published.) Subject Comment (Please note: Comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment.) NEWSLETTER Get daily news in your inbox and read it at your convenience. DNA DIGITAL Viewed Emailed Rated 'Everybody speaks English, right?' Bush asks Merkel Himesh’s star tantrums ‘Abhishek is psychotic’ Pereira ");sQ1[9]=new Array("http://kdka.com/health/local_story_038174154.html","kdka.com - New Surgery Could Make Weight Loss Safer","Have you or someone you know tried every diet, only to see your weight go up and down?However, considering weight loss surgery can be scary because of the complications. But now there is a new procedure that could take away some of that fear. It's called "lap band" surgery, a procedure that basically makes the stomach smaller.","suggested Laporoscopic Band surgery commonly known as the "lap band."“It's essentially a belt that goes around the stomach. It's inserted surgically,” Dr. Fernstrom says.“This adjustable band concept means that the band can be tightened or loosened as needed to allow more or less food in,” she adds.“The key feature here is you have to really be tuned in to hunger and fullness,” the doctor reports. “The beauty of the lap band is that it allows you to eat less food, be content sooner on less food, and so you lose weight.”Kindler had the lap band surgery last May and through a combination of band adjustments and exercise has lost 44 pounds. And while she still snacks more than she should, Kindler is now a regular at the gym and has hired a trainer to help her stick to an hour and a half fitness program three times a week.“We put together a comprehensive exercise program that consists of the three components of fitness, which is cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, and core strength training,” she says.Dr. Fernstrom says it's important to ask yourself some key questions if you are considering the lap band surgery.“You have to see the kind of commitment,” she says. “Are there insurance issues? Do you really want this? What other options have you tried? What kind of lifestyle options have failed? Have you tried medication?”Here's what you need to know about the lap band procedure:-The lap band is considered major surgery and requires an overnight hospital stay and about two weeks of recovery.-Weight loss is gradual - about one to two pounds per week.-Insurance companies will require six months of medically supervised lifestyle changes and dieting first.-The "lap band" is a permanent implant and normally is not removed.The lap band works best if:-Your weight has put you at a health risk.-Diets don't work because you can't control portion size and/or food consumption.-You need to lose 75-100 pounds.It is not for you:-If you're looking for a quick fix.-You need to lose only 25 to 30 pounds.-Or you need to lose 200 plus pounds.Nine months after her surgery Kindler says, “I have a lot more energy. I just feel a lot better. I like the fact that when I get up in the morning and try to decide what to wear, whatever I put on is going to fit.”“It really was very simple,” she says “I would recommend it to anyone who's considering that really has a serious weight problem.” (© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) From Our Partners Video You need the latest ");sQ1[10]=new Array("http://www.themorbidme.com/2007/02/four_studies_in.html","The Morbid Me: Four Studies Indicate Bariatric Surgery Provides Significant Long-Term Survival Advantage for Obese Patients","","Significant Long-Term Survival Advantage for Obese Patients A review published in SOARD, Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, summarizes the results of four studies that compared the mortality death rates of people who underwent bariatric surgery to a controlled community population. Research was conducted in Sweden, Australia, the United States and Italy, and it was presented at the 10th International Congress on Obesity in Sydney, Australia, in late 2006. Each study considered between 1,000 and 8,000 morbidly obese patients who sought various forms of bariatric surgery, including laparoscopic gastric banding (LapBand®), sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and duodenal switch, in an effort to achieve an effective weight loss of more than 25%. Data released by the four groups showed that bariatric surgery reduced the mortality rates of patients anywhere from 31.6% (Sweden) to 62% (Italy). The United States' collaborative research project conducted in Utah determined that of the 8,172 people who participated in the study, the gastric bypass patient had a 40% reduction in mortality and, more importantly, a significant decrease in death related to coronary artery disease, diabetes and cancer. Australia showed the most promising results to date, with a 73% average reduction in mortality rates due to LapBand® surgery. Asked for his reaction to the results, Dr. Paul T. Cirangle, surgeon at the Hawaii Weight Loss Center and Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco, stated, "Hard evidence is what the medical community needs to demonstrate that bariatric surgery is far more effective than dietary and exercise programs in changing the lives of severely obese patients." "The initial results of these four studies demonstrate that bariatric surgery is not only a powerful tool but a procedure that should be offered to appropriate patients sooner in an attempt to reduce the toll that obesity has on society," continued Cirangle. "The only way to save more lives is to educate ourselves, primary care providers and the public." As a result of these initial studies, the International Congress on Obesity will meet again at the end of 2007 to discuss further research opportunities that will aim to make more specific discoveries about bariatric surgery and its ability to reduce the onset of obesity-related mortality. February 01, 2007 at 10:35 PM | Permalink Comments Post a comment Name: Email Address: URL: Remember personal ");sQ1[11]=new Array("http://www.commonvoice.com/article.asp?colid=6662","Down the Rabbit Hole of WLS for Children","","procedure called laparoscopic gastric banding, where an elastic collar installed around the stomach limits how much someone can eat.The study was approved by the FDA after surgeons at New York University Medical Center published findings in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery this month. In that study, 53-children, aged 13 to 17, underwent bariatric surgery; they lost nearly half their excess weight over 18-months post-op. The Chicago Tribune highlighted the "success" of one teen, Crystal Kasprowicz, who shed 100-pounds after the surgery, but didn't mention any of the teens who faced additional surgery or other complications after their surgery. In the abstract of the study we find some numbers to give us an idea of the complications: 2 patients had band slips that required laparoscopic repositioning 2 patients developed a symptomatic hiatal hernia that required laparoscopic repair 1 patient developed a wound infection requiring incision and drainage So, of 53 subjects, 10% required additional surgery 5 patients experienced hair loss 4 patients experienced iron deficiency 1 patient developed nephrolithiasis and cholelithiasis (kidney stones and gallstones) 1 patient develpped gastroesophageal reflux So, of 53 subjects, 21% experienced a complication that didn't require additional surgery In total, 30% of all the patients experienced a complication. Funny how the media fails to report that, huh? When Britain recently approved weight loss surgery for children, I included a list of complications we know happen in adults in UK Solution to Childhood Obesity - Surgery & Drugs: Short Term Complications (in the first 3 to 14 days) Bleeding Leak Abscess and Infection Pulmonary Embolus Death Severe Nausea and Vomiting Narrowing or ulceration of the connection between the stomach and the small bowel has been reported in one series in about 20% of all patients undergoing gastric bypass Bile Reflux Gastritis occurs when bile flows back into the stomach Fistulas, (an abnormal passage leading from one hollow organ to another) abscess and infection have been seen in gastric bypass operations Dumping Syndrome Gallstones Adhesions, scar tissue caused by healing after surgery Diarrhea Long Term Complications Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies - Decreases in iron, vitamin B12, and/or Folate levels were detected eight months to eight years (median, two years) after the operation Peripheral neuropathy (disorders resulting from injury to the peripheral nerves) has been reported after operation Osteoporosis and Bone Loss Gastric bypass procedures carry the highest risk of multiple micronutrient deficiencies, that may supervene despite close medical follow-up Patients with a gastric bypass have a greater frequency of microcytosis and anemia, more frequent subnormal serum levels of vitamin B12, and impressive failure to absorb food vitamin B12 Gastrointestinal bleeding from a duodenal ulcer four years after having a gastric bypass procedure for obesity Symptomatic gallston");sQ1[12]=new Array("http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/5566966.html","KOLO - HomePage ","","Not Just Politics Kids You Should Know John Tyson's Journal Weight Loss Surgery for Kids? Reno Reporter: Terri Russell Kids and Weight Loss Surgery Like many people Jessica Doyle has tried several times over the years to eat healthy and exercise.Unlike many of us...her body was especially resistant. ": When I hit the 10th grade, it fluctuated and then started sky-rocketing.My highest weight was 320." That's when Jessica turned to doctors for help. At 18- Jessica underwent a weight loss operation in which a small ban is placed around the stomach to create a pouch, that limits how much food a patient can eat. It's worked for years in morbidly obese adults, so doctors at Columbus Children's Hospital taking part in a study wanted to see if it might work sooner, in patients as young as 14.Dr. Marc Michalsky from Columbus Children'ts Hospital says this is a serious health concern for some children. " By the time they are reaching their teens if nothing has changed in terms of their weight and their weight-growth curve, they have an overwhelming chance of carrying that weight into their adult years." And with the weight comes even bigger problems like heart disease, diabetes, even cancer. So this study will see if intervening with srugery early can help patients avoid those problems later.Michalasky says this is a serious and desperate step and is in no way intended to just make anyone look better."Absolutely not. This is not cosmetic surgery. IN fact, if you were to liken it to a title this is better thought of as metabolic surgery. This is surgery to help cure disease." Diseases like Diabetes. Jessica lost her father to the disease and was facing the same threat. She is now 40-pounds lighter. The F-D-A has hesitated to approve the gastric band for children, but a study out of New York University published ");sQ1[13]=new Array("http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gastric-bypass-diet/WT00007","Gastric bypass diet: Nutritional needs after weight-loss surgery - MayoClinic.com","Gastric bypass diet — recommendations on what you can eat after weight-loss surgery.  ","TOPIC Gastric bypass: Is this weight-loss surgery for you? Lifelong changes: New eating habits After three months, expect to eat three small meals and three small, healthy snacks a day. Your meals typically include lean sources of protein (such as poultry without skin or low-fat cottage cheese) fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit or avoid high-sugar, high-fat foods, which provide many calories but few nutrients. The changes in your digestive system restrict how much you can eat and drink with each meal. To avoid problems and to ensure you're getting all the nutrients you need, closely follow these guidelines: Eat small amounts. Just after surgery, your stomach holds only about 1 ounce of food. Though your stomach stretches over time to hold more food, you won't be able to eat more than 1 to 1 1/2 cups of food with each meal. Eating too much food adds extra calories and can cause pain, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. Make sure you eat only the recommended amounts and stop eating before you feel full. Eat and drink slowly. Eating or drinking too quickly, especially high-sugar foods such as soda or ice cream, can cause dumping syndrome — when foods and liquids enter your small intestine rapidly and in larger amounts than normal, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and sweating. To prevent dumping syndrome, eat your food and sip your beverages slowly. Take at least 30 minutes to eat your meals and 30 to 60 minutes to drink 1 cup of liquid. Chew food thoroughly. The new opening that leads from your stomach into your intestine is very small and large pieces of food can easily block the opening. Blockages prevent food from leaving your stomach and could cause vomiting. Take small bites of food and chew them to a pureed consistency. If you can't chew the food thoroughly, don't swallow it. Drink most of your fluids between meals. Drinking beverages with your meals may cause pain, nausea and vomiting as well as dumping syndrome. Also, too many liquids at mealtime may leave you feeling overly full and prevent you from eating enough nutrient-rich foods. Expect to drink about 6 to 8 cups of fluids a day to prevent dehydration. Try new foods one at a time. After surgery, certain foods may cause nausea, pain, vomiting or may block the opening of the stomach. To find out which foods are OK to eat and which cause you trouble, try one new food at a time. Foods that commonly cause trouble include dry tough meats, bread, raw vegetables and carbonated beverages. Take recommended vitamin and mineral supplements. After surgery, your body has difficulty absorbing certain nutrients because most of your stomach and the first part of your small intestine are bypassed. To prevent a vitamin or mineral deficiency, take vitamin and mineral supplements regularly. These may include a multivitamin-multimineral, calcium, vitamin B-12 and possibly an iron supplement. Weight loss and weight gain Within the first two years following surgery, you can expect to lose 50 percent to 60 percent of your excess weight, if you follow the dietary and exercise recommendations. If you continue to follow these recommendations, you can keep most of that weight off long-term. However, if you return to your old eating habits, you may gain back any weight you've lost. People who regain weight after gastric bypass surgery usually are consuming too many high-calorie foods and beverages and don't exercise enough. And rather than eating three meals a day and small snacks, some people graze — eat food all day long. This eating pattern often leads to consuming too many calories, which causes weight gain. If you aren't losing weight or are regaining weight after surgery, see your doctor. Your health care team can help reassess your eating and exercise habits and help you confront and overcome any weight-loss obstacles. Though weight-loss surgery helps you shed the pounds, its success depends on your willingness to adopt lifelong healthy-eating and exercise habits. What you eat and how you eat changes after surgery, but the benefits of weight losssponsorship policy Jun 7, 2007 NOODP");sQ1[14]=new Array("http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16981527/wid/11915773/","Child weight surgery more common  - Kids & Parenting - MSNBC.com","As the popularity of stomach surgery has skyrocketed among obese adults, a growing number of doctors are asking, “Why not children, too?”","Improved techniques, rising obesity fueling increase NBC VIDEO •New push to combat childhood obesity Feb. 2: Tom Costello reports on binge eating and a new government campaign to combat childhood obesity.Today show NEW YORK - As the popularity of stomach surgery has skyrocketed among obese adults, a growing number of doctors are asking, “Why not children, too?” For decades, the number of kids trying weight-loss surgery has been tiny. The operations themselves were risky, with a death rate of about 1 in 50. Children rarely got that fat, and when they did, pediatricians hesitated to put the developing bodies under the knife. Only 350 U.S. kids had such an operation in 2004, according to federal statistics. But improvements in surgical technique and huge increases in the number of dangerously obese children have begun fueling a change of heart. A group of four hospitals, led by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, are starting a large-scale study this spring examining how children respond to various types of weight-loss surgery, including the gastric bypass, in which a pouch is stapled off from the rest of the stomach and connected to the small intestine. Three more hospitals have approval from the Food and Drug Administration to test how teens fare with a procedure called laparoscopic gastric banding, where an elastic collar installed around the stomach limits how much someone can eat. The FDA has hesitated to approve the gastric band for children, but surgeons at New York University Medical Center reported in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery this month that the device holds promise. The 53 boys and girls, aged 13 to 17, who participated in NYU’s study shed nearly half their excess weight over 18 months, while suffering relatively minor complications. 'Not as self-conscious' Crystal Kasprowicz, of St. James, N.Y., said she lost 100 pounds from her 250-pound frame after having the band installed at age 17. “I’m a totally different person,” she said. Click for related content Obesity operations soar in U.S. Reading diet articles can be bad for girls 1 in 3 low-income preschoolers obese Before the procedure, Kasprowicz said she took medication for a rapid heartbeat and was showing signs of developing diabetes. Every effort she made to stop getting bigger failed. Dieting didn’t work, she said. Her heart problems made it hard to exercise. Even walking up stairs was a challenge. Now, she’s off the heart drugs. Her blood-sugar levels are in check. She also feels better about herself. “I’m very outgoing now,” said Kasprowicz. “I hike a lot ... I go to the beach in the summer now. I’m not as self-conscious when I go shopping for clothing.” Similar studies are under way at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago and at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, which recently opened a weight-loss surgery center for teens. Doctors there expect to conduct about 50 operations this year. Children are only considered candidates for surgery after they have spent six months trying to lose weight through conventional methods under hospital supervision. But so far, not a single one has slimmed down enough to take surgery off ");sQ1[15]=new Array("http://www.med.nyu.edu/communications/news/pr_217.html","Study Finds Stomach Banding Surgery Effective for Adolescents","","weight on numerous diet and exercise regimens, including medically supervised weight loss, according to the study. All of the adolescents were screened by a psychologist to ensure that they would comply with the study protocol. "This study suggests that the lap band provides a safer and equally effective weight loss strategy compared to the gastric bypass," said Evan Nadler, M.D., Director of Pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery and Assistant Professor of Surgery at New York University School of Medicine, who is the lead author of the study. "This is good news for parents contemplating obesity surgery for their adolescent children. The bypass has serious risks and side effects associated with it and our study shows that the band provides similar weight loss benefits without the same risks." Intestinal leakage and bleeding, blockage of the intestines, and severe nutritional deficiency are some of the side effects associated with the bypass procedure. The gastric banding procedure places an inflatable silicon ring around the upper portion of the stomach, creating a smaller stomach, which helps patients feel full and limits the amount of food they eat. The ring is connected to a port that is placed underneath the skin at the time of surgery. At regular monthly visits, the ring can be made tighter or looser by injecting saline into the port. This minimally invasive procedure is usually performed in under an hour. It is reversible, adjustable, and requires no cutting or rerouting of the gastrointestinal tract. By comparison, during the gastric bypass procedure the surgeon divides the stomach and reshapes it into a small pouch. It is then connected directly to the middle portion of the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine. According to the study, twelve and eighteen months following their surgery, the average weight loss for each patient was about 50 percent of excess weight, a figure comparable to weight loss following a gastric bypass procedure. None of the patients regained any lost weight, which has occurred after gastric bypass procedures, said Dr. Nadler. Complications were found to be significantly less severe with the band procedure as well. None of the gastric band patients in the study had complications that required readmission to the hospital. Two patients experienced slippage of the band, two patients developed hiatal hernias, and one patient had a wound infection. All of these conditions were treated by outpatient procedures. According to the study, a few patients also experienced mild hair loss and iron deficiency which were treated with nutritional counseling and vitamin supplementation. The authors of the paper are Dr. Nadler, and Heekoung A. Youn, Howard B. Ginsburg, Christine J. Ren, and George A. Fielding. This study was partially funded by the ");sQ1[16]=new Array("http://www.health24.com/news/Weight_management_Obesity/1-955,39069.asp","Health 24 - News, Weight management/Obesity","","Fertility problems Feet Flu/Influenza Gastrointestinal Genetics Headache Health care systems Hearing management Heartburn Heart/Cardiovascular HIV/Aids Hypertension Infectious diseases Kidney & Bladder problems Joint Pain/Arthritis Medical detectives Cholesterol Malaria, Cholera, Parasites Medications/Medicines Medical schemes Menopause Musculoskeletal problems Osteoporosis Oral Care Pain Plastic surgery Pet health Poisoning Pregnancy Probiotics Prostate Respiratory Research Sexuality Skin & Hair Sleep Smoking Stress Stroke Surgical/Operations Sun Trauma/Injuries Travel Health Workplace Other Survivor Series Press office Weight management/Obesity You are in: Health24 : News : Weight management/Obesity Lap band fights teen flab Last updated: Monday, January 29, 2007 Stomach banding, commonly called lap band surgery, is a safe and effective method of helping obese adolescents lose weight, US researchers report. In lap band surgery, an inflatable silicon ring is placed around the upper portion of the stomach. This creates a smaller stomach, which makes people feel full sooner and reduces the amount they eat. In the United States, lap band surgery is currently only approved for adults. Average of 50% weight loss Advertisement This study of 53 morbidly obese patients, ages 13 to 17, found that the teens lost an average of 50 percent of their weight a year after their surgery. Morbidly obese people have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above and are usually about 100 pounds (45 kilograms) overweight. According to researchers at New York University School of Medicine, none of the patients had complications requiring readmission to the hospital. Two patients did experience slippage of the bands, two developed hiatal hernias, and one patient had a wound infection. All these conditions were treated by outpatient procedures. A few patients experienced mild hair loss and iron deficiency. They were treated with nutritional counselling and vitamin supplementation. The study, published in the January issue of the Journal of Pediatric Surgery, is the first to evaluate lap band surgery in patients this young, the authors said. All of the study participants (mostly girls) had a history of obesity for at least five years, and many had conditions found in obese adults, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnoea. The participants had made previous unsuccessful attempts to lose weight, using diet and exercise regimens. Safer than gastric bypass? "This study suggests that the lap band provides a safer and equally effective weight loss strategy compared to the gastric bypass," study lead author Dr Evan Nadler, director of paediatric minimally invasive surgery and assistant professor of surgery, said in a prepared statement. In gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is divided and reshaped into a small pouch, which is connected directly to the middle portion of the small intestine. Side effects of gastric bypass included intestinal leakage and bleeding, blockage of the intestines, and severe nutritional deficiency, Nadler noted. – (HealthDayNews) Read more: Weight loss Centre January 2007 Print this article on Rate this article Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent Send this to a friend Today's top stories TV KEEPS YOU FAT IS TESTOSTERONE KILLING YOU? TOUGH TB WORRIES WHO MAN SUES OVER EPIC ");sQ1[17]=new Array("http://news.sawf.org/Health/32592.aspx","Stomach banding surgery effective procedure to combat obesity in teens","A new study conducted by scientists at NYU Medical Center suggests that lap band surgery or stomach banding may be an effective procedure to combat obesity in adolescents.  ","Rome as the Romans did, thanks to 3-D technology Home > Health Previous Next Stomach banding surgery effective procedure to combat obesity in teens Posted on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 (EST) A new study conducted by scientists at NYU Medical Center suggests that lap band surgery or stomach banding may be an effective procedure to combat obesity in adolescents. Email this page Washington, Jan. 24 (ANI): A new study conducted by scientists at NYU Medical Center suggests that lap band surgery or stomach banding may be an effective procedure to combat obesity in adolescents. The study, published in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery, for the first time revealed that adolescents on average lost about 50 per cent of their excess weight by one year after surgery. Currently, the lap band device is only approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in adults. During the study, lap band surgery was performed on 53 morbidly obese adolescents, 13-17 year old, most of whom were girls. People are considered morbidly obese when their body mass index is at 40 or above, usually about 100 pounds overweight. All of the adolescents were screened by a psychologist to ensure that they would comply with the study protocol. "This study suggests that the lap band provides a safer and equally effective weight loss strategy compared to the gastric bypass," said lead author Dr. Evan Nadler, Director of Pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery at New York University School of Medicine. "This is good news for parents contemplating obesity surgery for their adolescent children. The bypass has serious risks and side effects associated with it and our study shows that the band provides similar weight loss benefits without the same risks," he added. Twelve and eighteen months following the surgery, the average weight loss for each patient was about 50 per cent of excess weight, a figure comparable to weight loss following a gastric bypass procedure. Dr. Nadler said that unlike following gastric bypass procedures, none of the patients regained any lost weight after the lap band surgery. He also said that complications were found to be significantly less severe with the band procedure. (ANI) Email this page Recent Topics: Scientists link premature aging to loss of stem cells Low serum potassium levels linked to increased death risk in heart patients Scientists find double white dwarf stars that can be a good source of gravitational waves Drug that mimics feeling of 'fullness' developed Talcum powder can stunt lung cancer growth Drinking Oolong tea can help fight obesity Avalanche on Mars revealed Scientists identify molecular basis of obesity Low libido during menopause linked to disturbed sleep and night sweats Two new Jupiter-like planets defy conventional planet formation theory Celebrity Watch: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie at the premiere of 'Ocean's Thirteen' in Hollywood Celebrity Watch: Victoria Beckham at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in London Editor's Pick US museum fights to survive memories of slavery Drugs lure Hong Kong youth across China border Peter O'Toole to play 16th century pope on TV British women prefer chocolate to sex: poll Readers' Talkback Another Anon on Jennifer Aniston: No Tell-All Book But a New Mystery Man Anonymous on Paris Hilton's psychiatrist pays her a visit in prison Gossip Paul McCartney finds making music therapeutic Clooney feels 'sorry' for young Hollywood stars like Lindsay and Paris Paris Hilton release imminent? Beckham keeping left arm free for tattoo tribute to baby daughter Boob Merchant Joe Francis Not Granted Bail Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Hottest Stars of Hollywood Paris Hilton In Tears All Day Jennifer Aniston romancing British model Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's relationship was a leap of faith! Victoria Beckham crowned Britain's Woman of the Year Lifestyle Soon, a black box for cars to help reduce fatalities Drugs lure Hong Kong youth ac| Tech Tease | Health and Science | Travel | About NOODP");sQ1[18]=new Array("http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=118351&ran=247137","ARTICLE: Weight-loss surgery has legislator looking, feeling better (The Virginian-Pilot -  HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com)","Weight-loss surgery has legislator looking, feeling better - Virginia, News, General Assembly, The Virginian-Pilot","another man," Cosgrove recalled with a chuckle. The lawmaker wants to share his story to help others who might be considering gastric-bypass surgery. Food was always a problem for Cosgrove, an engineer. "If it looked good, I had it," he said. Latest Videos @ DOT tv: Missing KS teen found dead Assault videotaped by assailants in Newport News Viewer video: A look at free audio editing software Does Teenaged Sex Act Warrant Ten Years in Jail? Missing Conn. Girl Found Alive in Hidden Room Judge Drops Pants From $67 (m) Lawsuit Raw Video: Richie on Paris in Jail See the complete Pilot, exactly as in print - View stories, photos and ads - E-mail clippings - Print copies Log in or learn more The temptations increased as Cosgrove became involved in politics, winning election to the Chesapeake City Council in 1998 and the House of Delegates in 2001. "You go to a breakfast at one place, lunch at another and then a fancy dinner," he said. "All the meals have a lot of starch and a lot of carbohydrates, and you concentrate on the chicken and potatoes, and you push away green beans. It all adds up." Exercise was another problem. Cosgrove rarely got any. "When you weigh 100 pounds more than you should, you can't exercise very well without creating a lot of pain for yourself," he said. He tried Weight Watchers, the Atkins Diet and all the other popular diets. A few pounds would come off, then the discipline would break, and the weight would return greater than before. A wake-up call came two years ago, when Cosgrove turned 50 and learned he had prostate cancer. Both of his late parents also had battled cancer. Although Cosgrove's condition was treated successfully with surgery, he was concerned by medical reports that suggest a link between obesity and cancer. The weight also was constricting air flow into his lungs, making it difficult to sleep. Medical tests showed he was waking 40 to 50 times a night before he got an oxygen mask and tank. Even then, Cosgrove continued to snore loudly. He was turning his scale past 270 pounds. Cosgrove looked into stomach stapling and found that, at more than 100 pounds overweight, he was considered "morbidly obese" and a candidate for the operation. He was put through a battery of physical tests and meetings with psychologists and nutritionists before doctors agreed to do the surgery. Until recently, the operation required a major incision and was considered risky. Surgeons have greatly reduced the danger by perfecting a laparoscopic procedure. By inserting wires through Cosgrove's navel, they created an egg-sized pouch at the top of his stomach and stapled it shut. Cosgrove was home in 2-1/2 days and back at work in about a week. The sac, at first, could hold only an ounce of food at a time. Anything beyond that would produce pain and could cause the staples to burst. The weight flew off. "It's amazing when you're fighting this all your life, and all of the sudden, you get on the scale every morning, and you're a pound or two lighter everyday," Cosgrove said. "You go, 'This is really cool.' After a while, you get concerned, 'Hey, is this ever going to stop?' " Cosgrove's weight loss has leveled off at 102 pounds. He wants to drop 10 more pounds and plans to work it off in a gym. As expected, his stomach sac has expanded to hold about five ounces of food. Breakfast, he says, might be half a croissant; lunch, maybe two-thirds of a thin hamburger patty. Dinner is the size of an appetizer. He'll usually have a small piece of fruit during the day and a nutritional drink. "The only time I've really missed eating a big meal was at Thanksgiving," Cosgrove said. "I love the turkey and cranberry sauce and all that stuff." His wife said that when Cosgrove gets full at home, he leaves the table. When he's with friends, Cosgrove has learned to eat his small portion slowly. The legislator's jacket size has dropped from 52 inches to 41. His waist went from a "tight" 44 inches to 32. His 18-inch neck shrunk to 15 inches. "The most painful part of the procedure has been paying the credit card for all the new suits I had to buy," Cosgrove said. With his sizes changing so quickly, he buys suits at shops that sell matching pants and jackets individually. He also shops at Sam's Club because the clothes "aren't expensive." "The only things that still fit are my old shoes and socks," he said. Cosgrove has had new portraits taken to replace the "old fat ones" in legislative manuals. He ha s stopped snoring. And the mirror no longer taunts him. "I feel much more comfortable with my appearance," he said. "Now, when I walk by a mirror, I kind of have to do a double take: 'Is that me?' " Reach Warren Fiske at (804) 697-1565 or warren.fiske@pilotonline.com. Today's Most-Read Local Stories Portsmouth takes swing at blight landlord Officials investigating claims Vick was at dogfights Norfolk-based ship fires on pirates off Somalia Norfolk man accused of beating son with machete pleads guilty Fierce storm downs trees, knocks out power lines Most Comments Past Three Days Are illegal immigrants more prone to crime? Beach's largest municipal area needs millions for repairs Learn all about the new Virginian-Pilot Colleges' dilemma: ivory tower vs. police power Norview senior works to change school's cell phone policy USER COMMENTS Comments 1 - 2 of 2 Great to hear a success story! (hide comment) Gastric bypass ");sQ1[19]=new Array("http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=15388","Ivanhoe's Medical Breakthroughs - New Surgical Hope for Obese Teens","Advances in health and medicine.","exercise can help some teens keep their weight in check, but most overweight adolescents become obese adults. Gastric bypass surgery is the only FDA-approved surgical weight loss option for individuals younger than 18. Unfortunately, the procedure carries a mortality rate of at least 1 percent -- even in the hands of experienced surgeons. Dr. Nadler said laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, or lap banding, could be a safer, longer-lasting weight loss treatment for teens. The gastric band, or lap band, is an inflatable silicon ring fitted around the upper portion of the stomach, creating a smaller stomach. By making patients feel full sooner, it helps patients limit their food intake. A doctor can make the band tighter or looser at the patient's request. In a recent study, researchers followed 53 morbidly obese adolescents ages 13 to 17 who underwent lap band surgery. The average weight loss for each patient was about 50 percent of excess weight at 12 and 18 months following surgery. This figure is comparable to weight loss following gastric bypass surgery. Individuals are considered morbidly obese when their body mass index is 40 or higher. "Currently, a morbidly obese teenager who suffers from diabetes only has one surgical option for weight loss, which is gastric bypass," he said. "This study shows there is potential for another option, which is a much safer option and, at least in our hands, is an equally affective option as the gastric bypass." Dr. Nadler said patients with the band are less likely to regain weight because the band is adjustable. If a patient gains weight, a doctor can tighten the band and decrease the size of the stomach. Further research is needed to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of gastric band surgery. "The FDA has not currently approved the band for patients under the age of 18, and this is the first study to suggest the band is effective in that age group," Dr. Nadler said. "Hopefully others will have similar experience and there will be more data available for the FDA so eventually it will be approved so we can offer this ... life-altering operation to a group of adolescents who otherwise have no real solution to their problem." This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/. SOURCE: Ivanhoe interview with Evan P. Nadler, M.D., New York University School of Medicine; Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 2007;42:137-142 Related Articles in Archives: Heart Disease Starts in Childhood Lap Band Q&A Sex, Drugs, Suicide -- What's Happening to Our Kids? -- White Paper Gastric Bypass and Stomach Banding for Teens Puppy Love and Abuse: Teenage Dating Violence -- White Paper Overcoming Chronic Pain -- White Paper Tackling Teen Pregnancy [ Back to Children's Health Channel Home ] MEDICAL ALERT! Don't you want to be notified by e-mail every time there is a breakthrough on shoulder, vision, macular degeneration, loss, women's, woman, hrt");sQ1[20]=new Array("http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/1/emw500094.htm","Four Studies Indicate Bariatric Surgery Provides Significant Long-Term Survival Advantage for Obese Patients","News Release  A review published in SOARD, Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, summarizes the results of four studies that compared the mortality death rates of people who underwent bariatric surgery to a controlled community population. San Francisco, CA (PRWeb) January 28, 2007 -- A review published in SO","the four groups showed that bariatric surgery reduced the mortality rates of patients anywhere from 31.6% (Sweden) to 62% (Italy). The United States' collaborative research project conducted in Utah determined that of the 8,172 people who participated in the study, the gastric bypass patient had a 40% reduction in mortality and, more importantly, a significant decrease in death related to coronary artery disease, diabetes and cancer. Australia showed the most promising results to date, with a 73% average reduction in mortality rates due to LapBand® surgery. Asked for his reaction to the results, Dr. Paul T. Cirangle, surgeon at the Hawaii Weight Loss Center and Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco, stated, "Hard evidence is what the medical community needs to demonstrate that bariatric surgery is far more effective than dietary and exercise programs in changing the lives of severely obese patients." "The initial results of these four studies demonstrate that bariatric surgery is not only a powerful tool but a procedure that should be offered to appropriate patients sooner in an attempt to reduce the toll that obesity has on society," continued Cirangle. "The only way to save more lives is to educate ourselves, primary care providers and the public." As a result of these initial studies, the International Congress on Obesity will meet again at the end of 2007 to discuss further research opportunities that will aim to make more specific discoveries about bariatric surgery and its ability to reduce the onset of obesity-related mortality. About Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco and The Surgical Weight Loss Center of Hawaii: Dr. Paul T. Cirangle of The Surgical Weight Loss Center of Hawaii (SWLC of HI) is also a co-founder of Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco (LapSF), a team of surgeons with a compassionate approach to patient care and a proven commitment to laparoscopic advancement for bariatric weight loss surgery procedures. Specializing in the four main bariatric procedures: roux-en-y gastric bypass, vertical gastrectomy, LapBand® and duodenal switch, LapSF and SWLC of HI has performed over 2,000 procedures. LapSF is also recognized by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) as a Center of Excellence. ### Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/Q3Jhcy1NYWduLVNpbmctWmV0YS1NYWduLVplcm8= Email this story to a colleague Printer Friendly Version Bookmark with del.icio.us Bookmark with Y!MyWeb Submit to Digg Ben Kou Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco Visit Our Site 415-255-0650 Email us Here There are no multimedia files attached to this release. If this is your release you may add images or other multimedia files through your login. If you have any questions regarding information in these press releases please con");sQ1[21]=new Array("http://washingtontimes.com/national/20070113-122725-3758r.htm","Obesity surgery expands as way to lose pounds - Nation/Politics - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper","","Activity Guide Top Picks Music Theater/Dance Bars/Clubs Museums Books Sports Recreation Food Family Times Then Again Field Trip Romper Room Civilities Life and Times Browser Culture, etc. Culture Briefs Travel Civil War Obituaries Home Guide Maryland New Homes Virginia New Homes House Hunting Clicks and Mortar Column Auto Weekend New Vehicle Reviews Old Vehicle Reviews Employment Health Tourist Guide Holiday Gift Guide Blogs Insider Politics Blog Riffologist Redskins360 Zadzooks D1scourse SenateShowdown Sports Biz International Affairs Technology Dispatches from the Gulf Washington Intern Photos Photogallery Purchase Photos Classifieds Classifieds Service Directory Search Today's Ads Market Place Affiliates International Reports National Weekly Insight Magazine The World & I Middle East Times Tiempos del Mundo Segye Ilbo Segye Times USA Sekai Nippo GolfStyles World Peace Herald Times Color Graphics Arbor Ballroom January 13, 2007 Nation/Politics Front Page > Nation/Politics Page Email | Print | Subscribe Add To Insider Newsclips | Click-2-Listen advertisement Obesity surgery expands as way to lose pounds By Joyce Howard Price THE WASHINGTON TIMES January 13, 2007 The number of morbidly obese Americans undergoing weight-loss surgery has skyrocketed in all age groups since 1998 as the nation's obesity rate has climbed, a new federal report shows. More than 121,000 bariatric surgeries -- operations designed to control obesity -- were performed in the U.S. in 2004, an 800 percent increase from the 13,400 seven years earlier, according to the study by U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The study also showed that deaths from such surgeries have declined sharply since 1998. "This report shows that more Americans are turning to obesity surgery and that an increasing number of young people are undergoing these procedures," said Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, director of AHRQ. Nearly 350 obesity surgeries were performed on adolescents ages 12 to 17 in 2004. In 1998, the number of minors undergoing such operations was "too small to count," said Bill Encinosa, a senior economist at AHRQ and the study's author. Gastric bypass operations that reduce the size of the stomach and intestines and other types of bariatric surgery are beneficial to both the patients, especially Type 2 diabetics, and insurers. "Insurers save a lot of money [with bariatric surgery], since they [often] stop paying for diabetes, which can cost $4,000 annually," he said. The report showed that following successful weight loss from bariatric surgery, "diabetes was completely resolved" in nearly 78 percent of patients. Extremely obese people, who have failed to lose weight through the traditional methods of diet and exercise, drop 62 percent to 70 percent of excess weight after bariatric surgery. Patients typically have a Body Mass Index of 40 or higher (normal is between 18.5 and 24.9) or are battling a serious obesity-related medical condition. A Harris Poll last year found that 83 percent of U.S. adults 25 and older were overweight and that 39 percent were obese, up six and nine percentage points from the previous year. Mr. Encinosa said that gastric bypass surgery accounts for 94 percent of all bariatric procedures performed. In addition to decreasing stomach size, he said, this surgery involves reducing intestinal length by about 30 percent to decrease food absorption. While the overall hospital cost of bariatric surgery swelled more than eightfold © 2007 The Washington Times, LLC.");sQ1[22]=new Array("http://toronto.fashion-monitor.com/news.php/health/2007011502Obesity-Surgeries","Fashion Monitor Toronto - Guide to Toronto Fashion, Style and Nightlife - Obesity Surgeries Have Jumped Dramatically Since 1998 - Obesity surgeries for patients between the ages of 55 and 64 in the United States soared from 772 procedures in 1998 to 15,086 surgeries in 2004—a nearly 2,000 percent increase.     ","Toronto Fashion Monitor - All About Toronto Fashion, Beauty, Style, Movies, Restaurants, Spa. Daily fashion news, Canadian designer guide, Toronto shopping guide, beauty reviews, free beauty tips and advice, free newsletter","ages of 55 and 64 in the United States soared from 772 procedures in 1998 to 15,086 surgeries in 2004—a nearly 2,000 percent increase. Obesity surgeries for patients between the ages of 55 and 64 in the United States soared from 772 procedures in 1998 to 15,086 surgeries in 2004. It's a nearly 2,000 percent increase, according to a new report by HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The report, the latest of several studies that AHRQ has done on obesity surgery, also found a 726 percent increase in surgeries among patients age 18 to 54. There were a total of 121,055 surgeries performed on patients of all ages in 2004. Among the reasons for the extremely dramatic increases is that the mortality outcomes from obesity surgery have improved greatly. The national death rate for patients hospitalized for bariatric surgery declined 78 percent, from 0.9 percent in 1998 to 0.2 percent in 2004. Certain procedures, known collectively as bariatric surgery, have been proven beneficial in obese persons who have tried and failed to lose excess weight by diet, exercise, and other means. The surgical procedures include gastric bypass operations, vertical-banded gastroplasty, and gastric banding or “lapband.” Doctors may recommend bariatric surgery for patients who have a Body Mass Index of 40 or greater - a person who is 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 276 pounds, for example - or a BMI of 35 or more for patients who have serious, obesity-related medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes or severe sleep apnea. “This report shows that more Americans are turning to obesity surgery and that an increasing number of younger people are undergoing these procedures,” said AHRQ Director Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D. “As the rate of obesity continues to climb, the health care system needs to be prepared for continued escalation in the rate of this surgery and its potential complications.” Other news Are Multivitamins Necessary? ADHD in Adults Can Hurt Job Performance, Relationships Childhood Obesity and Liposuction Are Not a Good Mix Sleep Problems Linked to Increased Risk of Heart Disease Oh, My Aching Back! Tips on Avoiding Back Injury Soy Protects Against Prostate Cancer Lavender, Tea Tree Oils Cause Breast Growth in Boys Belly Fat May Bring on Diabetes and Heart Disease High Blood Pressure Lowered w");sQ1[23]=new Array("http://www.upi.com/HealthBusiness/view.php?StoryID=20070115-043015-7411r","United Press International - Health Business","","stories Obesity surgery soars in America Published: Jan. 15, 2007 at 4:26 PM E-mail Story | Print Preview | License WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- In the last decade surgeries to help people lose weight have exploded, government doctors said Monday. "This report shows that more Americans are turning to obesity surgery and that an increasing number of younger people are undergoing these procedures," said Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "As the rate of obesity continues to climb, the health care system needs to be prepared for continued escalation in the rate of this surgery and its potential complications." For patients between the ages of 55 and 64, the number of bariatric surgeries increases from 772 procedures in 1998 to 15,086 in 2004. That's an increase of nearly 2,000 percent in that age group. In the age groups from 18 to 54 there were 121,055 bariatric procedures performed. The report, which appears on the agency Web site beginning Monday, suggests that the increase in the surgeries is due to two main reasons: The mortality from performing the various forms of bariatric surgery has declined from 0.9 percent in 1998 to 0.2 percent in 2004; and studies have shown that the surgeries have proven effective in helping obese people lose weight. Doctors may recommend bariatric surgery for patients who have a Body Mass Index of 40 or greater -- a person who is 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 276 pounds, for example -- or a Body Mass Index of 35 or more for patients who have serious, obesity-related medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes or severe sleep apnea. Del.icio.us | Digg it | RSS © Copyright 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. United Press International, UPI, the UPI logo, and other trademarks and service marks, are registered or unregistered trademarks of United Press International, Inc. in the United States and in other countries. Post A Comment Your Name Your Email Address Comments Security Code Latest Stories Most Popular Popular Videos Cyclone hits Iran Report: Iran helping Taliban New genetic disease associations found Caribbean frogs came from single species Ford scores well in major quality survey Crude oil prices climb above $66 a barrel 'Ocean's 13' stars enshrined in cement Hoffman, Thompson chance reunion in film MLB: San Diego 5, Los Angeles 2 MLB: Colorado 8, Houston 7 British parents apparently love Muhammad Watercooler Stories Police find body in Kansas kidnapping Lightning silences Giuliani Henin, Sharapova look to protect top seeds Arrest made in Kansas teen's slaying Scientists: Stem cells can make blind see Gates visits Normandy on D-Day anniversary Pope's guards stop man from boarding jeep Oil rises near $66 as cyclone hits Iran Excited families cost teens their diplomas Backlash returns Brownberry bread U.S. House passes rival ethics measures London 2012 Olympic logo ridiculed GOP debaters fire at Bush's war handling Dems. go head-to-head over Iraq war Man with TB allowed to cross border "Borat" star to be a dad Fighting escalates in Lebanon Paris Hilton checks into jail Jessica Simpson and John Mayer split Bush asks for cooperation on missile defense plan Bush calls for stricter sanctions against Sudan ");sQ1[24]=new Array("http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/01/obesity_surgery.html","Obesity Surgeries Up Dramatically","Obesity Surgeries Up Dramatically","operations, vertical-banded gastroplasty, and gastric banding or "lapband." Doctors may recommend bariatric surgery for patients who have a Body Mass Index of 40 or greater -- a person who is 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 276 pounds, for example -- or a BMI of 35 or more for patients who have serious, obesity-related medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes or severe sleep apnea. "This report shows that more Americans are turning to obesity surgery and that an increasing number of younger people are undergoing these procedures," said AHRQ Director Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D. "As the rate of obesity continues to climb, the health care system needs to be prepared for continued escalation in the rate of this surgery and its potential complications." The report also found that: • Patients ages 18 to 54 still account for the highest number of surgeries: 103,097 bariatric surgeries, or 85 percent of the total. • Adolescents ages 12 to 17 accounted for 349 bariatric procedures in 2004. • Women have bariatric surgery more often than men. They accounted for more than 99,000 operations, or 82 percent of the total. • The in-hospital death rate for men in 2004 was only 0.4 percent, but it was 2.8 times higher than that of women. In 1998, the in-hospital death rate for men was six times higher than that of women. • Gastric bypass surgery -- which reduces the size of the stomach and bypasses a section of the intestines to decrease food absorption -- accounted for 94 percent of bariatric procedures. • The average hospital cost for a bariatric surgery patient stay, excluding physician fees, was $10,395 in 2004 as compared with $10,970 in 1998, adjusted for inflation. • The vast majority (78 percent) of bariatric surgery patients were privately insured. Only 5 percent of patients were uninsured, but their numbers increased by 810 percent over the period. • The overall hospital costs for bariatric surgery patients increased more than eight-fold -- from $147 million in 1998 to $1.3 billion in 2004. However, the average cost per patient decreased by 5 percent. Report Your Experience If you've had a bad experience with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now. June 7 2007 CPSC Warns of "Severe Risk" from Child ATVs Consumers Find It Hard To Leave Columbia House Ford Scores High with J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey Mississippi Gets Worst Rating in Physician Oversight Passenger Groups Blast Feds Over Airline Service Fake Check Scam Targets Thrifty Nickel Advertisers Harmony at Home: Dogs and Cats Can Live Together Happily For Rent: Your Credit Score E. coli Fears Lead to Another Beef Recall More News ... ConsumerAffairs.Com Video Channel Submit your video ... Display our video on your site Sleigh Round Cribs Limited Too, Justice Stores Metal Jewelry Kayak Paddle Floats Innovative Scuba Swivels Pine Cone Candles Fisher-Price Rainforest Infant Swing Set The Boyds Collection Toy Drums KTM Off-Road Motorcycles More Recalls ");sQ1[25]=new Array("http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006117819","AHN | More Americans Opting For Weight Loss Surgery To Lose Extra Pounds | June 7, 2007","More Americans Opting For Weight Loss Surgery To Lose Extra Pounds | June 7, 2007 |AHN is a global news agency and leading provider of real-time news, weather and dynamic content for websites, intranets and interactive properties, publishers and broadcasters, digital signage services, governmental entities and large business enterprises needing dynamic real-time content.","Weight loss, or bariatric surgery is meant for extremely obese people, mainly with serious medical conditions related to their weight. The most common form of this surgery is gastric bypass surgery. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, as many as 772 people aged 55 to 64, had gastric bypass in 1998. The surgery involves stapling or some similar procedure known as bariatric surgery to help weight loss. However, the number has risen to 15,086 in 2004, "Among the reasons for the extremely dramatic increases is that the mortality outcomes from obesity surgery have improved greatly. The national death rate for patients hospitalized for bariatric surgery declined 78 percent, from 0.9 percent in 1998 to 0.2 percent in 2004," the agency said in a statement. According to AP reports, agency director Carolyn Clancy said the report indicates that a large number of Americans, including an increasing number of younger people are turning to obesity surgery as a ways to reduce excessive weight. The study found that more than 103,000 of the 2004 operations were conducted on patients aged 18 to 54. Additionally, 349 of the surgeries were performed on youngsters aged 12 to 17. "As the rate of obesity continues to climb, the health care system needs to be prepared for continued escalation in the rate of this surgery and its potential complications", Clancy said. Hospital records for 2004 have indicated that the average hospital cost for an obesity surgery patient stay, excluding physician fees, was $10,395. The same surgery cost $10,970 in 1998. Overweight and obesity are raising medical problems of pandemic proportions. There are many detrimental health effects of obesity: heart disease, diabetes, many types of cancer, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic musculoskeletal problems, ");sQ1[26]=new Array("http://www.newstimeslive.com/news/story.php?id=1028455","News Times Live Story Not Found ","","Podcasts Multimedia Photo Galleries Reader Photos Submit a Photo The Week in Photos Video News AP Video AP Podcasts Anniversaries Births Engagements Honor Rolls Weddings MILESTONES Anniversaries Births Engagements Honor Rolls Weddings Cars Real Estate Rentals Jobs Business Directory Coupons Classifieds Ad Builder Mortgage Marketplace MARKETPLACE Cars Real Estate Rentals Jobs Business Directory Coupons Classifieds Ad Builder Mortgage Marketplace Bethel Bridgewater Brookfield Danbury Kent New Fairfield New Milford Newtown Redding Ridgefield Roxbury Sherman Southbury Washington YOUR TOWN YOUR TOWN Bethel Bridgewater Brookfield Danbury Kent New Fairfield New Milford Newtown Redding Ridgefield Roxbury Sherman Southbury Washington YOUR TOWN News Sports Across the Spectrum Schools Business Images Family Leisure Home Front On the Road SPECTRUM News Sports Across the Spectrum Schools Business Images Family Leisure Home Front On the Road HomeStyle How-To Guide Education Outlook Health and Fitness Seniority Bridal Guide Jill Medical Directory Inside Business Everything Kids Higher Education FEATURES HomeStyle How-To Guide Seniority Bridal Guide JILL Medical Directory Inside Business Everything Kids Higher Education ON THE CALENDAR Go to the Calendar Submit an event FROM OUR READERS Reader Photos Online Forum Letters to the Editor NEWS Email Print Comment Bookmark Story Not found This story has been moved to the archives or does not exist. Local Sports Opinion Entertainment Region Blogs Business Trash executive pleads guilty New Milford school board members discuss student conduct Cleary seeks Bethel selectman nomination Paying for a dream of college Dunham Farm plans still need work School budget in strong shape Saving energy can save money Winners' photos inspire future Hord scholar Triple triumph Green Wave boys win OT thriller New Milford girls upset Old Lyme in quarterfinals DeStefano saves the day for Brookfield Panthers advance to state title game Former big leaguer offers Westerners some pointers SOFTBALL BASEBALL Editorial DeLuca Connecticut deserves better than thisLetters Fight immigration bill in Congress Sharpton-Jackson practice thuggery Support summer school in Danbury Horoscopes Local TV Mat Kearney isn't pulling musical punches Therapists scratch heads over latest 'Sopranos' move Local TV Horoscopes Sam Waterston is negotiating for 'Law & Order' promotion For Maroon 5 frontman, it's a 'Wonder'-ful life School bus drivers must now undergo more background checks Legislation now in place to limit protests at funeralsMan innocent by reason of insanity in beating");sQ1[27]=new Array("http://www.webmd.com/content/article/131/118017.htm","Weight Loss Surgery Soars in U.S.","Weight loss surgery is soaring in the U.S., especially among baby boomers and women, a government report shows.","Weight loss, or bariatric, surgery is for morbidly obese people and those who are obese with serious medical conditions related to their weight. Perhaps the best known type of this surgery is gastric bypass surgery. The new report shows bariatric surgery was nine times more common in 2004 than in 1998 in the U.S. In 1998, 13,386 bariatric surgeries were performed on people of all ages. That figure rose to 121,055 in 2004. Most of those operations were gastric bypass surgeries, according to the report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Boomers Lead Trend The fastest growth in bariatric surgery was among people aged 55-64, but younger adults and teens also became more likely to opt for it. "This report shows that more Americans are turning to obesityobesity surgery and that an increasing number of younger people are undergoing these procedures," says AHRQ Director Carolyn Clancy in an AHRQ news release. "As the rate of obesity continues to climb, the health care system needs to be prepared for continued escalation in the rate of this surgery and its potential complications," Clancy says. Bariatric surgery was 20 times more common among people aged 55-64 in 2004 than six years earlier (772 surgeries in 1998; about 15,800 in 2004). People 45-54 had more than a tenfold increase in bariatric surgeries, rising from 3,320 in 1998 to about 35,900 in 2004. Younger Adults Getting Weight Loss Surgery Meanwhile, weight loss surgery grew sixfold in adults 18-44 during the years studied. In 2004, more than 36,700 of those 35-44 got bariatric surgery, as did more than 30,400 adults 18 to 34. Teens and older adults are also being caught up in the trend. In 1998, there were too few bariatric surgery patients in these two age groups to count, says the AHRQ. In 2004, 349 teens aged 12-17 and more than 1,400 adults 65 and older got bariatric surgery. Men, Women Getting Weight Loss Surgery Bariatric surgery increased for both sexes but was more common among women. Women accounted for about eight in 10 bariatric surgery patients in 2004, the study shows. The number of bariatric surgeries performed on men rose more than eight times higher during the years studied, from 2,527 in 1998 to nearly 21,000 in 2004. Bariatric surgeries performed on women increased more than nine times, from nearly 10,860 in 1998 to about 99,300 in 2004. Bariatric surgery can have complications, but the report shows a drop in the hospital inpatient death rate. In 2004, 230 patients died in hospital stays in which bariatric surgery was performed, down nearly 80% from 1998, according to the report. If you're considering weight loss surgery, ask your doctor about the risks, benefits, and a long-term healthy lifestyle plan to keep the pounds off. SOURCES: Zhao, Y. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Statistical Brief #23, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, January 2007. Print Friendly Version Email a Friend Weight Loss Surgery Risk: Brain Damage Read more in the Weight Control Health Center Get nutritional information from our expert. Read the top health news of the day. Get more Weight Control news. © 2007 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved. Allergic Asthma Info Alzheimer's Questions? Bipolar Rx Info Bone Health Tips Cancer Care Cancer Support Network Clearer Skin Joint Sti");sQ1[28]=new Array("http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/health/bal-hs.foreman05jan05,0,1302773.story?coll=bal-health-headlines","Weight Loss Surgery Soars in U.S.","Weight loss surgery is soaring in the U.S., especially among baby boomers and women, a government report shows.","increasing number of younger people are undergoing these procedures," says AHRQ Director Carolyn Clancy in an AHRQ news release. "As the rate of obesity continues to climb, the health care system needs to be prepared for continued escalation in the rate of this surgery and its potential complications," Clancy says. Bariatric surgery was 20 times more common among people aged 55-64 in 2004 than six years earlier (772 surgeries in 1998; about 15,800 in 2004). People 45-54 had more than a tenfold increase in bariatric surgeries, rising from 3,320 in 1998 to about 35,900 in 2004. Younger Adults Getting Weight Loss Surgery Meanwhile, weight loss surgery grew sixfold in adults 18-44 during the years studied. In 2004, more than 36,700 of those 35-44 got bariatric surgery, as did more than 30,400 adults 18 to 34. Teens and older adults are also being caught up in the trend. In 1998, there were too few bariatric surgery patients in these two age groups to count, says the AHRQ. In 2004, 349 teens aged 12-17 and more than 1,400 adults 65 and older got bariatric surgery. Men, Women Getting Weight Loss Surgery Bariatric surgery increased for both sexes but was more common among women. Women accounted for about eight in 10 bariatric surgery patients in 2004, the study shows. The number of bariatric surgeries performed on men rose more than eight times higher during the years studied, from 2,527 in 1998 to nearly 21,000 in 2004. Bariatric surgeries performed on women increased more than nine times, from nearly 10,860 in 1998 to about 99,300 in 2004. Bariatric surgery can have complications, but the report shows a drop in the hospital inpatient death rate. In 2004, 230 patients died in hospital stays in which bariatric surgery was performed, down nearly 80% from 1998, according to the report. If you're considering weight loss surgery, ask your doctor about the risks, benefits, and a long-term healthy lifestyle plan to keep the pounds off. SOURCES: Zhao, Y. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Statistical Brief #23, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, January 2007. Print Friendly Version Email a Friend Weight Loss Surgery Risk: Brain Damage Read more in the Weight Control Health Center Get nutritional information from our expert. Read the top health news of the day. Get more Weight Control news. © 2007 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved. Allergic Asthma Info Alzheimer's Questions? Bipolar Rx Info Bone Health Tips Cancer Care Cancer Support Network Clea");sQ1[29]=new Array("http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/09/050913124134.htm","ScienceDaily: Obese Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Can Consider Bariatric Surgery","Mayo Clinic researchers report in the September edition of Mayo Clinic Proceedings that bariatric surgery is a safe option for treating obese patients who have coronary artery disease.","wereanalyzed after surgery. After an average follow-up of 2.5 years withpatients, the researchers found significant decreases in weight loss,body mass index and blood pressure. Blood analysis showed decreases inkey indicators, as well. MayoClinic.com notes that coronary artery disease is the most commontype of heart disease, affecting about 13 million Americans. The causeof coronary artery disease is atherosclerosis -- the gradual buildup ofplaque in the arteries that feed the heart. Each year, more than500,000 Americans die of complications of coronary artery disease. The failure of conventional techniques to treat severe obesitysuccessfully sparked interest in surgical strategies. In 1991, theNational Institutes of Health Consensus Conference officiallyacknowledged the efficacy of bariatric surgery in producing short-termand long-term weight loss. The use of these procedures has gained acceptance and is nowconsidered an option that physicians discuss with their obese patientswhen other weight loss options have failed. However, Dr. Lopez-Jimenez said diet and increased physical activityshould remain as the initial approach in the treatment of obesity inpatients with coronary artery disease. Bariatric surgery should not beconsidered first for treatment of obese patients with coronary arterydisease because of its high cost and the potential risk of long-termcomplications in the digestive system. ### Other physicians who contributed to this study include: MariaCollazo-Clavell, M.D.; Michael Sarr, M.D.; and Virend Somers, M.D.,Ph.D.; of Mayo Clinic. Sundeep Bhatia, M.D., was with Mayo Clinicduring the study, but now is with the University of SouthernCalifornia, Los Angeles. A peer-review journal, Mayo Clinic Proceedings publishesoriginal articles and reviews dealing with clinical and laboratorymedicine, clinical research, basic science research and clinicalepidemiology. Mayo Clinic Proceedings is published monthly by MayoFoundation for Medical Education and Research as part of its commitmentto the medical education of physicians. The journal has been publishedfor more than 75 years and has a circulation of 130,000 nationally andinternationally. Copies of the articles are available online at www.mayoclinicproceedings.com. Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Mayo Clinic. New! Search Science Daily or the entire web with Google: Web ScienceDaily.com Print this page | Email to friend | Bookmark Health Videos & Features Men's Hearts, Women's Hearts: How Are They Different? Dr. Marianne Legato, Dr. Benjamin H. Lewis and Dr. Mehmet Oz discuss how men and women's hearts differ, and the medical implications of these findings. News: Bypass Basics: New Plumbing for the Heart Do You Know Your Numbers? Pressure Drop: Treating Orthostatic Hypotension Related News Sections Health & Medicine Related News Topics Heart Disease Stroke Prevention Obesity Diet and Weight Loss Diseases and Conditions Today's Healthcare Related Science Stories Reducing Hostility In Young Coronary Artery Disease Patients Is Important Piece Of Rehabilitation, Suggests Mayo Clinic Proceedings Study Same-day Coronary Angiography And Surgery Safe For Many Patients Heart Transplant Patients Benefit From New Approach To Immunosuppression, According To Mayo Clinic Most Smokers Continue To Smoke After Heart Procedures Seniors More At Risk For Complications, Death From Large Scale Weight-loss Surgery Related Encyclopedia Articles Minimally invasive procedure Ischaemic heart disease Coronary heart disease Low density lipoprotein Diabetes mellitus type 2 Heart valve Hysterectomy Blood vessel Cardiac arrest Bran Related Book Reviews Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease: The Only System Scientifically Proven to Reverse Heart Disease Without Drugs or Surgery Exodus from Obesity: The Guide to Long-Term Success After Weight Loss Surgery The Heart Speaks : A Cardiologist Reveals the Secret Language of Healing You and Leukemia: A Day at a Time Living with Lymphoma : A Patient's Guide Text: small | med | large Search Archives Find: > options In Other News ... ... more breaking news at NewsDaily -- updated every 15 minutes Copyright © 1995-2007 ScienceDaily LLC — All rights reserved — Contact: editor@removeme.sciencedaily.com About This Site | Editorial Staff | Awards & Reviews | Contribute News | Advertise With Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use Health & Medicine Mind & Brain Plants & Animals Space &amp Time Earth & Climate Matter & Energy Computers & Math Fossils & Ruins Latest News Front Page > Breaking News > Today's Digest > Week in Review > Email Updates > RSS Newsfeed News Sections > Health/Medicine > Mind/Brain > Plants/Animals > Space/Time > Earth/Climate > Matter/Energy > Computers/Math > Fossils/Ruins Browse Topics Health & Medicine > Allergy > Alternative Medicine > Bird Flu > Birth Control > Breast Cancer > Cancer > Diabetes > Diet and Weight Loss > Diseases and Conditions > Fitness > Gene Therapy > Heart Disease > HIV and AIDS > Lung Cancer > Men's Health > Nutrition > Obesity > Pharmacology > Pregnancy and Childbirth > Sexual Health > Skin Care > Stem Cells > Women's Health > more topics Mind & Brain > ADD and ADHD > Addiction > Alzheimer's > Anxiety > Autism > Depression > Gender Difference > Headaches > Insomnia > Intelligence > Language Acquisition > Parkinson's > Perception > Psychology > Relationships > Schizophrenia > Social Psychology > more topics Plants & Animals > Agriculture and Food > Animals > Behavior > Biology > Biotechnology > Cell Biology > Cloning > Developmental Biology > Dogs > Dolphins and Whales > Endangered Animals > Extinction > Frogs and Reptiles > Genetically Modified > Marine Biology > Microbes and More > Nature > New Species > Pests and Parasites > Spiders > Zoology > more topics Earth & Climate > Air Quality > Climate > Coral Reefs > Earthquakes > Ecology > Environmental Science > Geography > Geology > Global Warming > Hurricanes and Cyclones & ");sQ1[30]=new Array("http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/03/060320223638.htm","ScienceDaily: Bariatric Surgery Leads To Long-term Blood Pressure Changes In Extremely Obese Patients","A new University of Pittsburgh study shows that certain severely obese patients may experience significant, long-term blood pressure improvements as they lose substantial amounts of weight after gastric bypass surgery, thereby contributing to their overall health. The study also shows that one-third of patients under active drug treatment for blood pressure prior to their surgery were able to eliminate or reduce their blood pressure medications after surgery.","Medicine and director of the Minimally Invasive Bariatric and General Surgery program at UPMC. "It also is important to note that blood pressure reductions occurred in patients even though they remained obese with BMIs in the 35 range, which is still not ideal, further suggesting that weight loss itself -- in this study, achieved through gastric bypass surgery -- can improve health outcomes," commented Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom.### For more information on the UPMC Weight Management Center, visit http://weightloss.upmc.com. For information about bariatric surgery, visit http://magee.upmc.com. Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. New! Search Science Daily or the entire web with Google: Web ScienceDaily.com Print this page | Email to friend | Bookmark Health Videos & Features The Skinny on Fat Learn about low fat diets and the recent women's health initiative research study. News: Thinning Out the Diet Debate A Few Good Carbs: The New Glycemic Index Diet Making Weight Resolutions Stick Related News Sections Health & Medicine Related News Topics Obesity Diet and Weight Loss Heart Disease Today's Healthcare Diseases and Conditions Eye Care Related Science Stories Simple System Accurately Predicts Weight-loss Surgery Risk For Super-obese Patients, Duodenal Switch Beats Gastric Bypass Obese Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Can Consider Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Surgery Can Help Reduce Metabolic Syndrome In Obese Patients Minimally Invasive Surgery For Morbid Obesity Has Favorable Outcomes, According To University Of Pittsburgh Study Related Encyclopedia Articles Hypertension Liposuction Adipose tissue Diabetes mellitus type 2 Anti-obesity drug Hysterectomy Bedsore Urology Overweight Refractive surgery Related Book Reviews Exodus from Obesity: The Guide to Long-Term Success After Weight Loss Surgery Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars Revised & Updated Adult Leukemia: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Families The Heart Speaks : A Cardiologist Reveals the Secret Language of Healing Heal Your Heart : The New Rice Diet Program for Reversing Heart Disease Through Nutrition, Exercise, and Spiritual Renewal Text: small | med | large Search Archives Find: > options In Other News ... ... more breaking news at NewsDaily -- updated every 15 minutes Copyright © 1995-2007 ScienceDaily LLC — All rights reserved — Contact: editor@removeme.sciencedaily.com About This Site | Editorial Staff | Awards & Reviews | Contribute News | Advertise With Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use Health & Medicine Mind & Brain Plants & Animals Space &amp Time Earth & Climate Matter & Energy Computers & Math Fossils & Ruins Latest News Front Page > Breaking News > Today's Digest > Week in Review > Email Updates > RSS Newsfeed News Sections > Health/Medicine > Mind/Brain > Plants/Animals > Space/Time > Earth/Climate > Matter/Energy > Computers/Math > Fossils/Ruins Browse Topics Health & Medicine > Allergy > Alternative Medicine > Bird Flu > Birth Control > Breast Cancer > Cancer > Diabetes > Diet and Weight Loss > Diseases and Conditions > Fitness > Gene Therapy > Heart Disease > HIV and AIDS > Lung Cancer > Men's Health > Nutrition > Obesity > Pharmacology > Pregnancy and Childbirth > Sexual Health > Skin Care > Stem Cells > Women's Health > more topics Mind & Brain > ADD and ADHD > Addiction > Alzheimer's > Anxiety > Autism > Depression > Gender Difference > Headaches > Insomnia > Intelligence > Language Acquisition > Parkinson's > Perception > Psychology > Relationships > Schizophrenia > Social Psychology > more topics Plants & Animals > Agriculture and Food > Animals > Behavior > Biology > Biotechnology > Cell Biology > Cloning > Developmental Biology > Dogs > Dolphins and Whales > Endangered Animals > Extinction > Frogs and Reptiles > Genetically Modified > Marine Biology > Microbes and More > Nature > New Species > Pests and Parasites > Spiders > Zoology > mor");sQ1[31]=new Array("http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061228131027.htm","ScienceDaily: For Kids With High Blood Pressure, Surgery Can Help When Medicines Fail","High blood pressure may seem like something that only adults get, but children can develop it too -- and it can pose serious risks to their hearts, brains and lives. While medications may help some children, a new study shows that for kids with a rare but especially dangerous form of hypertension, surgery is the best option.","throughout the body to constrict, thereby increasing blood pressure. Fortunately, the new study shows that 97 percent of children who have surgery for renovascular hypertension will respond positively, and 70 percent will be cured completely. In the hands of the right team, the researchers say, children can survive the arduous operation and go on to have a normal life. "This is a rare condition, but one that can be catastrophic if it's not found and treated appropriately," says lead author James C. Stanley, M.D., a U-M vascular surgeon who has operated on dozens of children with the condition in the past 40 years. "But the good news is that it is highly treatable with the help of an experienced diagnostic, surgical, and medical team." Stanley, the Handleman Research Professor of Vascular Surgery at U-M and a director of the U-M Cardiovascular Center, co-authored the report with U-M pediatric kidney specialists, interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons who make up the Michigan Pediatric Renovascular Group. Together, they treat children at the clinics, operating rooms and intensive care unit of the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, as well as U-M Cardiovascular Center diagnostic facilities. The 97 children analyzed for the study had a total of 162 operations at U-M in the last 43 years. It is the world's largest study of the condition to date. The patients in the study came to U-M from all over the national and the world, referred by their own doctors after multiple medications failed to help. Stanley and his colleagues use advanced imaging techniques to diagnose the condition, and to guide the surgeons who use deft surgical techniques to reconstruct the narrowed blood vessels which are often only a few millimeters wide. Both minimally invasive angiography techniques, and non-invasive MRI and CT imaging, can be used to assess the condition. In the paper, the U-M team describes in detail the surgical approach that yielded such high success rates for their patients. Because children are still growing, they cannot be treated using the artificial graft devices and stents that are often used in treating adult kidney blood vessels. As a result, surgeons often have to use a length of blood vessel taken from elsewhere in the child's body to get around the blockage. In some patients, the persistently high blood pressure has damaged one kidney too much to allow it to be saved, and it must be removed. Once a child has had surgery to correct their kidney blood flow, they can sometimes go off the blood pressure medications that had been used to try to control their hypertension. But others will still need medicines, or even further surgery, says Stanley. In addition to improvements in renal hypertension treatment, Stanley has hopes that better blood pressure screening of children will lead to more cases being detected before disastrous consequences arise. He looks back to decades ago, when U-M vascular surgeon William Fry, M.D. was one of the first to report that intractable hypertension in children could be a cause of mental developmental delays -- a finding that led to more routine blood pressure testing of children during well-baby doctor visits. Recent national guidelines call for children to have their blood pressure measured beginning at age 3 -- and starting at younger ages for children who were born prematurely or have heart defects. Even if it turns out that a child's high blood pressure is linked to their family history, their obesity or the medications they take for some other condition, children and their parents can take steps to reduce blood pressure through diet, weight loss, and exercise. For more information on pediatric and adult renal hypertension diagnosis and treatment at the U-M Cardiovascular Center, visit vascular.surgery.med.umich.edu/clinical/disease-specific/renal_artery.shtml or call toll-free 1-888-287-1082. In addition to Stanley, the paper's authors are vascular surgeons Enrique Criado, M.D., Gilbert R. Upchurch Jr, M.D., and John E. Rectenwald, M.D.; pediatric nephrologist Patrick D. Brophy, M.D.; and interventional radiologist Kyung J. Cho, M.D. Other members of the group are pediatric nephrologists David Kershaw, M.D.; interventional radiologist David M. Williams, M.D.; and vascular surgeons Ramon Berguer, M.D., Peter Henke, M.D., and Thomas Wakefield, M.D. Reference: Journal of Vascular Surgery, December 2006, Volume 44, Issue 6, Pages 1219-1228. Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by University of Michigan Health System. New! Search Science Daily or the entire web with Google: Web ScienceDaily.com Print this page | Email to friend | Bookmark Health Videos & Features Men's Hearts, Women's Hearts: How Are They Different? Dr. Marianne Legato, Dr. Benjamin H. Lewis and Dr. Mehmet Oz discuss how men and women's hearts differ, and the medical implications of these findings. News: Bypass Basics: New Plumbing for the Heart Do You Know Your Numbers? Pressure Drop: Treating Orthostatic Hypotension Related News Sections Health & Medicine Related News Topics Heart Disease Children's Health Today's Healthcare Diet and Weight Loss Attention Deficit Disorder Stroke Prevention Related Science Stories High Blood Pressure In Kids Linked With Sleep Breathing Problems Researchers Identify Thousands With Curable High Blood Pressure Vanderbilt Children's Doctors Now Using Viagra To Treat Seriously Ill Babies Bariatric Surgery Leads To Long-term Blood Pressure Changes In Extremely Obese Patients Apple-Shaped Kids At Greater Risk For Heart Disease Than Pear-Shaped Peers Related Encyclopedia Articles Blood pressure Excretory system Hypertension Coronary heart disease Ischaemic heart disease Kidney Human physiology Headache Vein Electrolyte Related Book Reviews Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery: Over 140 Delicious Low-Fat, High-Protein Recipes to Enjoy in the Weeks, Months and Years after Surgery Eat Right 4 Your Type: The Individualized Diet Solution to Staying Healthy, Living Longer & Acheiving Your Ideal Weight Incredible You! 10 Ways to Be Happy Inside and Out Small Animal Surgery The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines Text: small | med | large Search Archives Find: > options In Other News ... ... more breaking news at NewsDaily -- updated every 15 minutes Copyright © 1995-2007 ScienceDaily LLC — All rights reserved — Contact: editor@removeme.sciencedaily.com About This Site | Editorial Staff | Awards & Reviews | Contribute News | Advertise With Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use Health & Medicine Mind & Brain Plants & Animals Space &amp Time Earth & Climate Matter & Energy Computers & Math Fossils & Ruins Latest News Front Page > Breaking News > Today's Digest > Week in Review > Email Updates > RSS Newsfeed News Sections > Health/Medicine > Mind/Brain > Plants/Animals > Space/Time > Earth/Climate > Matter/Energy > Computers/Math > Fossils/Ruins Browse Topics Health & Medicine > Allergy > Alternative Medicine > Bird Flu > Birth Control > Breast Cancer > Cancer > Diabetes > Diet and Weight Loss > Diseases and Conditions > Fitness > Gene Therapy > Heart Disease > HIV and AIDS > Lung Cancer > Men's Health > Nutrition > Obesity > Pharmacology > Pregnancy and Childbirth > Sexual Health > Skin Care > Stem Cells > Women's Health > more topics Mind & Brain > ADD and ADHD > Addiction > Alzheimer's > Anxiety > Autism > Depression > Gender Difference > Headaches > Insomnia > Intelligence > Language Acquisition > Parkinson's > Perception > Psychology > Relationships > Schizophrenia > Social Psychology > more topics Plants & Animals > Agriculture and Food > Animals > Behavior > Biology > Biotechnology > Cell Biology > Cloning > Developmental Biology > Dogs > Dolphins and Whales > Endangered Animals > Extinction > Frogs and Reptiles > Genetically Modified > Marine Biology > Microbes and More > Nature > New Species > Pests and Parasites > Spiders > Zoology > more topics Earth & Climate > Air Quality > Climate > Coral Reefs > Earthquakes > Ecology > Environmental Science > Geography > Geology > Global Warming > Hurricanes and Cyclones > Ice Ages > Oceanography > Ozone Holes > Pollution > Renewable Energy > Tsunamis > Weather > Wildfires > more topics Space & Time > Astronomy > Astrophysics > Big Bang > Black Holes > Dark Matter > ESA > Extrasolar Planets > Mars > Moon > NASA > Pluto > Saturn > Solar System > Space Missions > Space Station > Space Telescopes > Stars > Sun > more topics Matter & Energy > Alternative Fuels > Aviation > Biochemistry > Biometric > Chemistry > Detectors > Electronics > Energy Technology > Forensics > Fossil Fuels > Inorganic Chemistry > Nanotechnology > Organic Chemistry > Physics > Quantum Physics > Solar Energy > Techno Health Center Ge");sQ1[32]=new Array("http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20061014-114853-8714r.htm","Obesity linked to brain decline - World - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper","","advertisement  Advertise | RSS | Sitemap | About TWT | Contact Us | Subscription Services | Insider Login | News Front Page Front Page Image Nation/Politics Pruden on Politics Inside the Beltway Inside Politics Inside the Ring Federal Report Daybook Around the Nation Sgt. Shaft Culture, etc. World World Briefings Briefly World Scene Embassy Row Metropolitan Tom Knott Adrienne Washington Lottery Business Entertainment Riffologist Special Reports Special Series Technology Mark Kellner Weather Corrections Elections Opinion Opinion/Editorials Tony Blankley Suzanne Fields Deborah Simmons Tod Lindberg Helle Dale Diana West Nat Hentoff Gary J. Andres Harlan Ullman Richard Rahn Letters To The Editor Commentary Bruce Bartlett Austin Bay Arnold Beichman L. Brent Bozell III Steve Chapman Mona Charen Linda Chavez Larry Elder Bruce Fein Frank J. Gaffney Jr. Terence P. Jeffrey Lawrence Kudlow Donald Lambro David Limbaugh Michelle Malkin Oliver North Clarence Page Alan Reynolds Paul Craig Roberts Thomas Sowell Mark Steyn Jacob Sullum Cal Thomas Walter Williams Insider Politics Blog Sports Sports Front Tom Knott Dan Daly Dick Heller Thom Loverro Redskins360 Sections Books Wash. Weekend Movie Minis Out & About Theater Minis Riffs Dining Out Phantom of the Movies Activity Guide Top Picks Music Theater/Dance Bars/Clubs Museums Books Sports Recreation Food Family Times Then Again Field Trip Romper Room Civilities Life and Times Browser Culture, etc. Culture Briefs Travel Civil War Obituaries Home Guide Maryland New Homes Virginia New Homes House Hunting Clicks and Mortar Column Auto Weekend New Vehicle Reviews Old Vehicle Reviews Employment Health Tourist Guide Holiday Gift Guide Blogs Insider Politics Blog Riffologist Redskins360 SenateShowdown Zadzooks International Affairs Technology Dispatches from the Gulf Washington Intern Photos Photogallery Purchase Photos Classifieds Classifieds Service Directory Search Today's Ads Market Place Affiliates International Reports National Weekly Insight Magazine The World & I Middle East Times Tiempos del Mundo Segye Ilbo Segye Times USA Sekai Nippo GolfStyles World Peace Herald Times Color Graphics Arbor Ballroom October 15, 2006 World Front Page > World Page Email | Print | Subscribe Add To Insider Newsclips | Click-2-Listen advertisement Obesity linked to brain decline By Nina Goswami LONDON DAILY TELEGRAPH October 15, 2006 LONDON -- It is bad for your blood pressure, knocks years off your life and is a strain on your heart. Now scientists have discovered that gaining weightlowers your intelligence.     A five-year study of more than 2,200 adults claims to have found a link between obesity and the decline in a person's cognitive function.     The research, conducted by French scientists, was published for the first time this month in Neurology journal. It involved men and women between 32 and 62 years of age who took four mental-ability tests, then repeated them five years later.     The researchers found that people with a body mass index -- a measure of body fat -- of 20 or less could recall 56 percent of words in a vocabulary test, but those who were obese, with a BMI of 30 or higher, could remember only 44 percent.     The fatter subjects also showed a higher rate of cognitive decline when they were retested five years later: Their recall dropped to 37.5 percent, but those with a healthy weight retained their level of recall.     To explain the reduced cognitive powers, Maxime Cournot, who headed the study, suggested that hormones secreted from fats could have a damaging effect on cerebral cells, resulting in less brain function.     "Another explanation could be that since obesity is a widely known cardiovascular risk factor, due to the thickening and hardening of the blood vessels, that the same happens with the arteries in the brain," said Dr. Cournot, an assistant professor in clinical epidemiology at Toulouse University Hospital.     "It would be logical that losing weight would make your cognitive function increase," she added.     David Haslam, the clinical director of the National Obesity Forum, established in 2000 to raise awareness of the health implications of being overweight, said the new research was "alarming."     "It goes to show obesity affects every single organ in the human body," he said. "No one wants to be obese, especially when it causes dementia and heart disease, but the news that it affects your brainpower will come as a shock and is alarming."     But Anne Widdecombe, a former British Cabinet minister who lost 30 pounds participating in a television show called "Celebrity Fit Club," said she was skeptical of the study.     "You just need to look around the world, and you will see hundreds of thin nitwits and clever fat people," she said.     Email | Print | Subscribe Add To Insider Newsclips | Click-2-Listen Front Page > World Page Want to use this article? Click here for options! Copyright 2006 The Washington Times advertisement advertisement Related World 3,000 ministry staffers fired over corruption Tehran revives nuclear proposal Turkey calms response to vote In South, most call for new policy, own nukes U.N. imposes trade embargo on N. Korea Copyright © 1999 - 2006 News World Communications, Inc. http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20061014-114853-8714r.htm Car Loans UK Email Marketing uk Security Camera Wholesale MLM Lead Family ski holidays Jehovah's Witnesses news Debt Management Engagement Rings Scrapbooking Supplies Hear the Cries of Uganda Gourmet Coffee Flower Delivery UK Used Cars Cruise Vacation Trip Guide Mailing Lists  Change Font Size:  Normal | Large Search www.washingtontimes.com Long Term Archives Insider [an error occurred while processing this directive] advertisement AP U.S. Death Toll Nears 3,500 in Iraq North Korea Fires Missiles Off Coast Blair Hopeful on Greenhouse Deal at G-8 30 Suspected Taliban Killed or Wounded Taiwan Tries to Hold Onto Allies Cyclone Gonu Blamed for 15 Deaths Report: 39 Secretly Imprisoned by U.S. Tsunami Siren Damaged After False Alarm Saudi Authorities Say 11 Arrested Ex-Taiwan Leader Visits Japan War ShrineUPI Report: Iran helping Taliban Taliban says it traded hostages for body Fashion innovator Charles Evans dies Raids in Iraq bring more than 30 arrests UPI NewsTrack TopNews North Korea may have fired more missiles Blair sees progress on climate change Report: Saudi prince paid for arms deal Former deputy executed in Texas Vietnam president to visit White House Bush: 'Enough is enough' in Darfur Turkish troops cross Iraq border Arrest made in Kansas teen's slaying Quake shakes Papua New Guinea Bangladeshi leader faces treason charge RSS The Washington Times RSS Feeds Real Estate Transportation Employment Legal Notices Personals Today's Classified Ads For the Home Area Atractions Dining Out New Homes Privacy Policy | About TWT | Community Relations | Search | Site Map | Contact Us Advertise | Subscription Services | TWT Gift Shop All site contents copyright © 2006 The Washington Times, LLC.");sQ1[33]=new Array("http://sev.prnewswire.com/education/20060501/NYM17701052006-1.html","Monash University :: LAP-BAND Patients Lose Significantly Greater Amounts of Initial and Excess Weight Than Non-Surgical Patients"," . LAP-BAND System surgery is significantly more effective in reducing weight and improving health and quality of life than non-surgical weight-loss programs, according to a study published in the May 2 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.","LAP-BAND Patients Lose Significantly Greater Amounts of Initial and Excess Weight Than Non-Surgical Patients Surgical Patients Also Benefit From a Reduction in Comorbidities MELBOURNE, Australia, May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- . LAP-BAND System surgery is significantly more effective in reducing weight and improving health and quality of life than non-surgical weight-loss programs, according to a study published in the May 2 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine. "This was one of the first rigorously controlled studies to measure the impact of weight-loss surgery against traditional weight-loss methods," said Professor Paul O'Brien, lead investigator and Director of the Centre for Obesity Research and Education at Monash University, where the study was conducted. "It confirms the results of prior studies that weight-loss surgery is superior over traditional approaches like diet and exercise alone." The study showed that LAP-BAND patients lost greater amounts of weight and saw a reduction in the metabolic syndrome, a condition in obese people where insulin levels are too high and which puts people at greater risk of problems such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and abnormal blood lipid levels, than non-surgical patients-at no additional adverse risk. This randomized, controlled study directly compared LAP-BAND System surgery (the only FDA approved adjustable gastric banding procedure) to traditional, non-surgical weight-loss programs in mild to moderately obese patients. "Currently, the generally accepted practice is to perform weight-loss surgery only on the severely and morbidly obese," said Professor O'Brien. "But these positive results suggest that physicians should re-examine the guidelines for weight-loss surgery to determine if they should be expanded to include mild to moderately obese patients." The study was designed to assess whether surgical therapy for moderate obesity achieves better weight loss, health and quality of life than non-surgical therapies. At two-years, surgical patients had lost an average of 20.5 kg (45.1 lbs) or 21.6 percent of their average initial body weight. This weight loss was equal to 87.2 percent of the surgical group's excess body weight at the beginning of the study. The non-surgical group had lost an average of 5.3 kg (11.66 lbs) at two years, or 5.5 percent of their average initial body weight. This weight loss was equal to 21.6 percent of their excess weight at the beginning of the study. In addition to losing weight, the metabolic syndrome was significantly more likely to be resolved after two years in the surgical group than the non-surgical group. At the start of the study, metabolic syndrome was present in 38 percent of members of the surgical and non-surgical groups. At the end of the study, only 3 percent of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding patients and 24 percent of non-surgical patients presented with metabolic syndrome. While both groups reported improvements in quality of life, participants who received the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band reported greater improvements. "With the LAP-BAND System, there is now a safer, less invasive and more acceptable surgical option for weight loss, and we have demonstrated that it is a powerful tool in reducing the dangerous and costly effects of the metabolic syndrome," said Professor O'Brien. Obesity is an important global health problem with a prevalence of more than 20 percent among the adult population in Western countries and more than 30 percent in the United States. It is estimated that there are more than 300 million obese people worldwide.(1,2) The increasing prevalence of obesity is associated with a parallel increase of numerous obesity-related diseases. Additional Study Results * The extent of weight loss was equal for both groups at 6 months, but then the non-surgical group regained weight that had been lost while surgical patients continued to lose and were continuing to lose through the study's conclusion. * The average surgical patient's body mass index (BMI) went from 33.7 at the beginning of the study to 26.4 after 2 years. The non-surgical group's BMI was reduced from an average of 33.5 at the beginning of the study to 31.5 at the study's conclusion. Study Methodology Investigators at Monash University's Centre for Obesity Research and Education randomized 80 mild to moderately obese adults (BMI of 30-35) to either a traditional, non-surgical medical weight-loss program or bariatric surgery. The non-surgical program was physician directed and consisted of behavioral modifications, a very low calorie diet and pharmacotherapy with orlistat plus education and professional support regarding appropriate eating and exercise behavior. The surgical group received the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAP-BAND System, Inamed Health) procedure performed by standardized method by two experienced surgeons within one month of randomization. During the surgery, the surgeons inserted an inflatable band around the upper part of the patients' stomachs to create a small pouch limiting the amount of food consumption, which creates a feeling of fullness, resulting in weight loss. ABOUT MONASH UNIVERSITY Monash University is one of Australia's largest and most internationalized universities. It is highly regarded for its innovative approach to teaching and research. The university has more than 52,000 students from over 100 countries. It has six campuses in Australia as well as campuses in South Africa and Malaysia. It also has centers in London and in Prato in Italy. Issuers of news releases and not PR Newswire are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content. Terms and conditions, including restrictions on redistribution, apply. Copyright © 1996-2003 PR Newswire Association LLC. All Rights Reserved. A United Business Media company. Keywords: malaysia it,system inamed health),about monash universitymonash university,united states it,internal medicine this,professor o brien but,monash university,obesity research,lap-band system,professor paul o brien,south africa,study methodology investigators,professor o brien obesity,additional study results the");sQ1[34]=new Array("http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-05-01-gastric-band_x.htm","Study: Gastric band works better than 500-calorie diet - USATODAY.com","Adjustable gastric banding is much more effective long-term than a very low-calorie diet for people who are about 50 pounds overweight, a study shows. Medical guidelines already support the surgical procedure for extremely obese patients.","Search How do I find it? Subscribe to paper Home News Travel Money Sports Life Tech Weather Health and Behavior   Buy a car  Event tickets   Job search  Real estate  Shopping E-mail features E-mail newsletters Sign up to receive our free Daily Briefing e-newsletter and get the top news of the day in your inbox. E-mail Select one: HTML Text Breaking news E-mail alerts Get breaking news in your inbox as it happens  WEIGHT WORRIES Trans fats: More Americans clean plates of 'bad' foods | NYC ban to take effect in '08 Year in review: Weight gains as a heavy concern in 2006 Studies: Obesity affects prostate cancer | Intestinal microbes pack on calories Tips: Losing weight a matter of mind | Drink water, drop pounds | How to avoid calorie traps Low-fat foods pack calorie punch Middle-aged Americans can walk off weight More Study: Gastric band works better than 500-calorie diet Posted 5/1/2006 10:04 PM ET E-mail | Save | Print | By Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY Adjustable gastric banding is much more effective long-term than a very low-calorie diet for people who are about 50 pounds overweight, a study shows. Medical guidelines support this surgical procedure — which puts a band around the top of stomach to create a feeling of fullness — in patients who are extremely obese, about 100 or more pounds over a healthy weight, or those who are almost as overweight and have serious medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. Researchers at Monash University Medical School in Melbourne, Australia, recruited 80 patients who were on average 52 pounds over a healthy weight. Half had the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery. The other half followed a medical program that included a variety of strategies such as a very-low-calorie diet (500 calories a day) with liquid meal replacements, prescription weight-loss medication and behavioral therapies. Findings in today's Annals of Internal Medicine: • After six months, both the surgery patients and the low-calorie dieters lost an average of 14% of their starting weight. • After two years, the gastric band patients lost 22% of their starting weight. That was about 87% of their excess weight, or roughly 45 pounds. They also showed marked improvement in their health and quality of life. • At the end of two years, the dieters had regained much of their lost weight but were still 5.5% below their starting weight. They had lost 22% of their excess weight, or about 12 pounds. Researchers are still analyzing the weight-loss data. "I'm very happy that the gastric band patients are continuing to maintain their weight loss," says lead author Paul O'Brien, director of the university's Centre for Obesity Research and Education. Since the study, he received grants from INAMED Health, maker of the LAP-BAND System. In this study, the surgery was as safe as the diet program, but O'Brien notes the procedure does carry risks, and some may need follow-up procedures, such as readjusting the band position. The surgery costs $14,000 to $18,000 in the USA, he says. Insurance companies vary widely in coverage of gastric banding or gastric bypass, a more complex surgery that creates a much smaller stomach and rearranges the small intestine. Average cost: $26,000. Under certain conditions, Medicare covers both surgeries. Many surgeons in the USA use gastric bypass because bypass patients lose more weight overall and lose it faster, says Neil Hutcher, president of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery and a surgeon in Richmond, Va. Thomas Wadden, an obesity expert at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, says gastric banding "is a very effective procedure, but it's not a rational, cost-effective solution to the epidemic of obesity." "Because we have limited health care dollars, we have to decide how best to invest them. Are we going to provide bariatric surgery for a relatively small number of people or instead invest in the prevention of obesity so our children hopefully won't need this surgery?" Posted 5/1/2006 10:04 PM ET E-mail | Save | Print | Newspaper Home Delivery - Subscribe Today Home • News • Travel • Money • Sports • Life • Tech • Weather About USATODAY.com: Site Map | FAQ | Contact Us | Jobs with Us | Terms of Service Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Right | Media Kit | Press Room | Reprints and Permissions News Your Way: Mobile News | Email News | Add USATODAY.com RSS feeds Partners: USA WEEKEND | Sports Weekly | Education | Space.com Copyright 2007 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. Keywords: gastric banding, surgery, low-calorie diet, Obesity, weight, patients, calories, Bariatric Surgery, diet, weight-loss, pounds, usatoday, Medical School, front, fronts, bull, stomach, surgeons");sQ1[35]=new Array("http://www.upi.com/ConsumerHealthDaily/view.php?StoryID=20061116-123709-4902r","United Press International - Consumer Health Daily","","United Press International® News. Analysis. Insight.™ Advertise Online | Site Map | About UPI | Content Solutions | Support | Contact Us | Affiliates Espańol | English SEARCH: Stories Headlines Writer Photos Archive Home Video Update Top News Science Business Entertainment Sports Quirks Newspictures Africa Monitoring Marketplace UPI Merchandise Store Security & Terrorism International Intelligence Energy Consumer Health Daily Health Business Zogby / UPI Polls Special Reports Pesticides: Higher brain cancer risk Low testosterone, higher death risk Cancer need not be the end of exercise Eat To Live: Mark of Mediterranean diet Published: June 6, 2007 at 2:14 PMBy JULIA WATSON UPI Food Writer Advice and recipes for healthy eating. Caregiving: Is TB a worry? Published: June 5, 2007 at 4:29 PMBy ALEX CUKAN UPI Health Correspondent Reports on the discipline of caregiving, from adults dealing with their aging and infirm parents, to issues of interest to professional caregivers. Interview: Disease expert on rare TB case Published: June 5, 2007 at 4:20 PMBy ROSALIE WESTENSKOW UPI Correspondent UPI interviews Richard Wenzel, president of the International Society for Infectious Diseases, about the Andrew Speaker TB case. Health Tips: Avoiding allergies' sting Published: June 5, 2007 at 1:00 PMBy LIDIA WASOWICZ UPI Senior Science Writer Avoiding the sting of allergies to insect bites; boosting mood with marriage, and managing hearing health. ..continue to more stories Study: Link between inflammation, obesity Published: Nov. 16, 2006 at 12:18 PM E-mail Story | Print Preview | License HOUSTON, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Houston researchers have identified a molecular link between obesity and inflammation -- inflammation has been linked to several diseases. Research presented this week at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions shows that a high-fat diet draws inflammatory cells into fat tissue, which prevents the tissue from storing the fats we eat, according to Dr. Christie Ballantyne, cardiologist at the Methodist DeBakey Heart Center and principal investigator of the research. When the tissue can not store these fats, they end up in the liver and muscle, which in turn causes diabetes and heart disease. "Understanding this link between obesity, diet and inflammation, may help us prevent diabetes and heart disease by tailoring new therapies to block the inflammation that initiates the destructive process," said Ballantyne. Research shows that a high-fat diet leads fat cells to produce molecules called chemokines, which attract inflammatory white blood cells into fat tissue. Both macrophages and T cells, which play a critical role in the immune system, accumulate in fat tissue, beginning the process that leads to disease, according to Ballantyne. Del.icio.us | Digg it | RSS © Copyright 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. United Press International, UPI, the UPI logo, and other trademarks and service marks, are registered or unregistered trademarks of United Press International, Inc. in the United States and in other countries. Post A Comment Your Name Your Email Address Comments Security Code Latest Stories Most Popular Popular Videos Cyclone hits Iran Report: Iran helping Taliban New genetic disease associations found Caribbean frogs came from single species Ford scores well in major quality survey Crude oil prices climb above $66 a barrel 'Ocean's 13' stars enshrined in cement Hoffman, Thompson chance reunion in film MLB: San Diego 5, Los Angeles 2 MLB: Colorado 8, Houston 7 British parents apparently love Muhammad Watercooler Stories Police find body in Kansas kidnapping Lightning silences Giuliani Henin, Sharapova look to protect top seeds Arrest made in Kansas teen's slaying Scientists: Stem cells can make blind see Gates visits Normandy on D-Day anniversary Pope's guards stop man from boarding jeep Oil rises near $66 as cyclone hits Iran Excited families cost teens their diplomas Backlash returns Brownberry bread U.S. House passes rival ethics measures London 2012 Olympic logo ridiculed GOP debaters fire at Bush's war handling Dems. go head-to-head over Iraq war Man with TB allowed to cross border "Borat" star to be a dad Fighting escalates in Lebanon Paris Hilton checks into jail Jessica Simpson and John Mayer split Bush asks for cooperation on missile defense plan Bush calls for stricter sanctions against Sudan Fliers potentially exposed to TB UPI Weekly White House Wrap-up UPI Weekly White House Wrap-up Your Thoughts No Comments  SEARCH: Stories Headlines Writer Photos Archive Advertising Links Wine of the Month Club &middot Gift Baskets &middot Find Top Site Bargains &middot Webkatalog &middot Prom dresses and gowns &middot USB adapter &middot Printer Paper &middot Cheap Laptops &middot Petites Annonces &middot Anuncios Gratis &middot Real Estate Properties in the world &middot Press Release Services &middot Motivational Sports Speakers Bureau &middot Custom & Printed T-Shirts - ChoiceShirts Affiliates | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Careers | Advertise Online | Contact Us ALL");sQ1[36]=new Array("http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/11/15/health/webmd/main2183888.shtml","Obesity May Dim Colon Cancer Survival, Study Shows Lower Survival Rates For The Very Obese; Also For The Underweight - CBS News","Colon cancer survival may be less likely for patients who are very obese or too thin at diagnosis.","Lynch Syndrome Protein Reveals Colon Cancer Prognosis Study: Test May Let Doctors Adjust Treatment Exercise May Cut Men's Colon Cancer Benefit Seen In Formerly Sedentary Men; Women Not Affected In Study Nov 15, 2006 Quote "We need to find out why extra weight has such a harmful impact and come up with new ways to counter that." James Dignam, Ph.D., University of Chicago (WebMD) Colon cancer survival may be less likely for patients who are very obese or too thin at diagnosis. The University of Chicago's James Dignam, Ph.D., and colleagues report that news in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. They aren't blaming colon cancer on weight or promising survival for patients who are in shape. Doctors often can't explain exactly why someone develops, survives, or dies from cancer. Many factors are likely involved. More studies are needed to see if reaching a healthy weight boosts colon cancer survival. "One first step would be to investigate whether modifying diet and exercise habits for patients after treatment would have a positive impact on colon cancer outcomes," Dignam says in a University of Chicago Medical Center news release. Other studies have linked obesity to worse odds of getting colon cancer. Dignam's team focused on people who already had colon cancer. The goal: See if BMI (body mass index) affects colon cancer survival. BMI measures weight in relation to height and is used to gauge obesity. The researchers studied 4,288 people diagnosed with stage II or stage III colon cancer between 1989 and 2004. The patients got surgery and chemotherapy. On the first day of chemotherapy, their height and weight were measured. The researchers calculated the patients' BMI, which ranged from about 14 to 52, with an average BMI of 26.1, which is in the overweight category. Here are the details on the patients' BMI: 3% were underweight (BMI less than 18.5) 42% had normal weight (BMI of 18.5 to 24.9) 36% were overweight but not obese (BMI of 25 to 29.9) 13% were obese (BMI of 30 to 34.9) 6% were very obese (BMI greater than 35) The patients were followed for 11 years, on average. During that time, those who were very obese were 28% more likely to die of colon cancer and 38% more likely to have colon cancer return, compared with those of normal weight. Underweight patients were also at risk. They were 49% more likely to die during the follow-up period, compared with patients of normal weight. But the underweight patients weren't more likely to have colon cancer return. Their higher death rate wasn't due to colon cancer and may have been tied to other conditions. It's not clear how weight affects colon cancer survival, write the researchers. They note some limits to the data. For instance, patients' BMI was only checked once; any weight changes weren't recorded. "Given the increasing proportion of Americans with a BMI greater than 35 and the fact that these individuals are overrepresented urs | ");sQ1[37]=new Array("http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852571020057CCF685257212004CB39E","News - Transoral Gastroplasty May Be a Promising Route for Performing Bariatric Surgery: Presented at ACG","Transoral Gastroplasty May Be a Promising Route for Performing Bariatric Surgery: Presented at ACG","CancerParkinson'sPathologyPituitaryPregnancyProstate CancerPsoriasisPsychiatry OtherPulmonary OtherRadiation OncologyRadiologyRenal CancerRenal FailureRespiratory InfectionsRheumatoid ArthritisRheumatology OtherRhinitisSARSSchizophreniaScoliosisSepsisShoulderSickle Cell AnemiaSleep ApnoeaSleep DisordersSmoking Related DisordersSpineStrokeSTDsSurgerySynovitisThalassemiaThrombosisThyroid DisordersTransfusionTransplant Surgery OtherTraumaUrinary IncontinenceUrinary Tract InfectionsVaccinologyVascular DisordersViral Infections Gastro Other SEARCH Doctor's Guide Free CME The Web Medline Congress Resource Centre EXPLORE : Most Read News All News All Webcasts / CME All Cases Congress Resource Centre All Medical Resources My Personal Edition Warning | Privacy Recent news - Gastro Other Founder and Recurrent CDH1 Mutations in Families With Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer - (JAMA) Efficacy and Safety of Trifunctional Antibody, Catumaxomab, Documented in Phase 2/3 Study: Presented at ASCO - (DGDispatch) Pancreatic Surgery Riskier for Obese Patients - (DGNews) Researchers Assess Colonoscopy Competency: Presented at DDW - (DGNews) Colonoscopy Versus Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: Presented at DDW - (DGNews) News archive Recent webcasts/CME - Gastro Other Use of Probiotics in the Management of Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea Laxative Use and Abuse in the Older Adult: Part I Pancreatitis Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Constipation Addressing Treatment Challenges in Ulcerative Colitis: Using Optimum Delivery Systems Webcasts/CME archive Recent cases - Gastro Other How do we Manage the Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Using the Right Gastroepiploic Artery? Report of Two Cases and a Review of the Literature Adult Idiopathic Ileosigmoid Intussusception Prolapsing Per Rectum Landry-Guillaine-Barre Syndrome as Presentation of Celiac Disease Late Mesh Extrusion in a Case of Incisional Hernia Repaired with Polypropelene Mesh Case Study: A 30-Year-Old Man with Metformin-Treated Newly Diagnosed Diabetes and Abdominal Pain Cases archive my personal edition > gastro other > news E-Mail this DGDispatch to a colleague DGDispatch Transoral Gastroplasty May Be a Promising Route for Performing Bariatric Surgery: Presented at ACG By Paula Moyer LAS VEGAS, NV -- October 25, 2006 -- A transoral route for performing endoscopic bariatric surgery is technically feasible and well tolerated, according to findings presented here at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting (ACG). "This early study showed that the procedure is feasible for patients who need to undergo gastroplasty," said principal investigator Steven A. Edmundowicz, MD, professor of gastroenterology, Washington University of St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri. "We need next to do a larger study with longer follow-up in order to demonstrate that the procedure is an effective way to do the surgery," Dr. Edmundowicz said on October 23rd. In this study, Dr. Edmundowicz and colleagues recruited 12 patients who were morbidly obese as defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more or 35 or more and weight-related comorbidities. Participating surgeons used endoscopic guidance to insert the TransOral Gastroplasty version A (TOGa) device through the patient's mouth into the stomach. The surgeon then used the device to narrow and suture the stomach, as is conventionally done in bariatric surgery. Patients were under general anesthesia and were hospitalized overnight after the procedure. They were followed at 1, 3, and 6 months. One component o");sQ1[38]=new Array("http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=56470","The Skinny On Post-Bariatric Plastic Surgery","For the 170,000 morbidly obese patients who undergo bariatric surgery each year in the U.S., the stomach-reducing procedure is just the first step back to health and self-esteem.    Massi","contouring is not without its risks. "These risks may include blood loss during the procedure itself and a very small risk of clots," Dr. Spector says. "A minority of patients may also experience other problems, such as abdominal hernias or fibrosis, and, of course, trouble-free wound-healing is always a priority." "I believe it's extremely important to inform each patient of the potential for these and other complications," Dr. Spector says. "It's also important to give them a realistic view on what these surgeries can achieve." As procedures improve, however, so, too, do outcomes. Scars resulting from body contouring are often positioned to lie below the underwear/bikini line, for example, and surgeons use precision liposuction to "smooth out" uneven areas that arise after drastic weight loss. "This provides a more even, natural look," Dr. Spector says. "And as we perform more and more of these procedures -- some surgeons are now well into the hundreds of cases -- we're bound to get better at them, refining techniques and improving outcomes even more," Dr. Spector says. For most patients, the road from an unhealthy, disabling obesity to a slimmer, healthier and more attractive body is a long one, the Weill Cornell expert says. But most say they are more than willing to take that journey. "When it's over, patients generally tell us that every step along the way was more than worth it," Dr. Spector says. "They say they feel healthier, more attractive, happier. And for us, that's the goal." NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, located in New York City, is one of the leading academic medical centers in the world, comprising the teaching hospital NewYork-Presbyterian and its academic partner, Weill Cornell Medical College. NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell provides state-of-the-art inpatient, ambulatory and preventive care in all areas of medicine, and is committed to excellence in patient care, research, education and community service. NewYork-Presbyterian ranks sixth on the U.S.News & World Report's list of top hospitals. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital 425 East 61st St., Fl. 7 New York, NY 10021 United States http://www.nyp.org < back to top - View the latest Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News. - Back to latest medical news headlines. - Get medical news headlines weekly with our e-mail newsletter. - Huge database of hospitals world wide . Contact Our Medical News Editors For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form. Please send any medical news or health news press releases to: Back to top Back to front page List of All Medical Articles Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions © 2007 MediLexicon International Ltd Web design by Alastair Hazell from Bexhill, UK News Categories Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness Abortion Acid Reflux / GERD ADHD Aid / Disasters Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs Allergy Alzheimer's / Dementia Anxiety / Stress Arthritis Autism Bio-terrorism / Terrorism Biology / Biochemistry Bipolar Bird Flu / Avian Flu Blood / Hematology Body Aches Bones / Orthopaedics Breast Cancer Cancer / Oncology Cardiovascular / Cardiology Caregivers / Homecare Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine Cholesterol CJD / vCJD / Mad Cow Disease Cleft Palate Clinical Trials / Drug Trials Colorectal Cancer Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine Compliance Conferences Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery Crohn's Cystic Fibrosis Dentistry Depression Dermatology Diabetes Dyslexia Ear, Nose and Throat Eating Disorders Endocrinology Epilepsy Erectile Dysfunction / Premature Ejaculation Eye Health / Ophthalmology Fertility Flu / Cold / SARS GastroIntestinal / Gastroentorology Genetics Gout Headache / Migraine Health Insurance / Medical Insurance Hearing / Deafness HIV / AIDS Huntingtons Disease Hypertension Immune System / Vaccines Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses Irritable-Bowel Syndrome IT / Internet / E-mail Liver Disease / Hepatitis Lung Cancer Lupus Lymphoma / Leukemia Medical Devices Medical Malpractice / Litigation Medical Students Medicare / Medicaid / Tricare Men's health Mental Health MRI / PET / Ultrasound MRSA / Drug Resistance Multiple Sclerosis Muscular Dystrophy / ALS Neurology / Neuroscience Nursing / Midwifery Nutrition / Diet Obesity / Weig");sQ1[39]=new Array("http://www.prweb.com/releases/obesity/ivf/prweb450523.htm","Obesity Epidemic Is Causing Infertility And Reducing The Success Of Treatments Such As IVF ","PR:  Obesity is becoming an increasingly common cause for infertility. Obesity causes problems with ovulation, reduces the success of fertility treatments including IVF, increases the chances for miscarriage and other pregnancy complications. Weight loss is an effective treatment to increase fertility. C","in the last twenty years. Obesity immediately brings to mind associations with hypertension, diabetes and heart disease, yet most people are surprised to learn that there is a strong association between obesity, infertility and miscarriage. Although the data is still limited, this may be a good choice for women who struggle with persistent morbid obesity. According to Dr. Randy Morris, board certified reproductive endocrinologist and Medical Director of IVF1 in Chicago, "Excess weight and obesity can affect fertility in a number of different ways by causing hormonal imbalances that have an impact on ovulation and menstruation. Over the last three years, I have seen the percentage of obese women seeking fertility treatment at my center increase from 9% to 39%. The percentage with morbid obesity went from 0% to 23%." Morris explains further, "Obese women have a higher incidence of ovulation problems and irregular menstrual cycle. This may be due to a problem called insulin resistance which is the same problem that increases their risk of diabetes. Obese women may also have more uterine problems as estrogen production from fat cells can cause abnormal changes in the uterine lining and in some cases even proceed to cancer." A recent study suggested that obese women may have a 3.5 fold increase in their risk for miscarriage. Additionally, obese patients have a poorer chance for success with fertility treatments. They tend to have a worse response to fertility medications and as a result may need higher doses. Pregnancy rates are uniformly lower for obese women. This is true even for high tech treatments such as in vitro fertilization. Some IVF studies show a delivery rate for obese women that is one half what it is for thinner women. "If you are going to spend thousands of dollars on fertility treatments, obese women should be advised of their prognosis so they can make a more educated decision," adds Morris. Obesity may also be the source of many problematic occurrences in women even if they do successfully become pregnant. 1) Excess weight often causes breathlessness, lethargy, increased abdominal pressure, indigestion, heartburn, depression and added physical pressure on the body. 2) Obese women are more likely to have labor complications requiring Cesarean section. 3) There is an increased risk for gestational diabetes and blood pressure problems. 4) Babies born to obese women are at higher risk for birth defects There is some good news though. Weight loss is associated with an improvement in ovulation and fertility and a reduction in miscarriage risk. However, Dr. Morris stresses that there are no miracle diets. "In fact, there haven't been any good studies showing that one type of diet is better than another for losing weight and improving fertility. The key is compliance. Women need to find a diet that they can stay on for a long period of time." Of course, exercise is also extremely important. "I have also been impressed with the results of bariatric or weight loss surgery," states Dr. Morris. "Although the data is still limited, this may be a good choice for women who struggle with persistent morbid obesity." ### Post Comment:Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/SG9yci1GYWx1LVByb2YtRmFsdS1JbnNlLVplcm8= women ivf in vitro fertilization obesity obese women weight fertility infertility MISCARRIAGE, IVF, IN VITRO FERTILIZATION");sQ1[40]=new Array("http://www.upi.com/ConsumerHealthDaily/view.php?StoryID=20061002-012852-4891r","United Press International - Consumer Health Daily","","2 (UPI) -- Patients who have had bariatric surgery need to take special steps to ensure they are absorbing their medications and nutrients, says a U.S. study. Study authors April D. Miller of University of Kentucky HealthCare and Kelly M. Smith of University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy examined previously published literature to assess potential problems that bariatric-surgery patients may have with absorption of mediations and nutrients. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the bariatric surgery most often performed in the United States, is associated with more absorption problems than other procedures because it combines techniques that restrict the amount of food passing through the stomach and impair the ability of the small intestine to absorb nutrients. This combination of approaches creates the need for special considerations to help patients get the best results from their medications, according to the analysis published in American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. "Both the smaller stomach size and the decreased absorption ability of the small intestines can mean that medications may not work as intended," said Smith. "It's important for physicians and pharmacists to be aware of these patients' special needs in order to make the best choices about appropriate medications." Del.icio.us | Digg it | RSS © Copyright 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. United Press International, UPI, the UPI logo, and other trademarks and service marks, are registered or unregistered trademarks of United Press International, Inc. in the United States and in other countries. Post A Comment Your Name Your Email Address Comments Security Code Latest Stories Most Popular Popular Videos Cyclone hits Iran Report: Iran helping Taliban New genetic disease associations found Caribbean frogs came from single species Ford scores well in major quality survey Crude oil prices climb above $66 a barrel 'Ocean's 13' stars enshrined in cement Hoffman, Thompson chance reunion in film MLB: San Diego 5, Los Angeles 2 MLB: Colorado 8, Houston 7 British parents apparently love Muhammad Watercooler Stories Police find body in Kansas kidnapping Lightning silences Giuliani Henin, Sharapova look to protect top seeds Arrest made in Kansas teen's slaying Scientists: Stem cells can make blind see Gates visits Normandy on D-Day anniversary Pope's guards stop man from boarding jeep Oil rises near $66 as cyclone hits Iran Excited families cost teens their diplomas Backlash returns Brownberry bread U.S. House passes rival ethics measures London 2012 Olympic logo ridiculed GOP debaters fire at Bush's war handling Dems. go head-to-head over Iraq war Man with TB allowed to cross border "Borat" star to be a dad Fighting escalates in Lebanon Paris Hilton checks into jail Jessica Simpson and John Mayer split Bush asks for cooperation on missile defense plan Bush calls for stricter sanctions against Sudan Fliers potentially exposed to TB UPI Weekly White H");sQ1[41]=new Array("http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Science/2006/11/06/study_questions_obesity_conclusions/1826/","United Press International - NewsTrack - Science - Study questions obesity conclusions","","NewsTrack - Science Published: Nov. 6, 2006 at 7:49 AM E-mail Story | Print Preview | License Study questions obesity conclusions TORONTO, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- A controversial study from the University of Toronto questions earlier research concluding that obesity in the United States can be predicted by zip code. Economist Matthew Turner said rather than blaming urban sprawl for obesity perhaps overweight people are drawn to sprawling neighborhoods, The Los Angeles Times reported. Turner and his colleagues examined data collected on nearly 6,000 men and women living in the United States, many of whom had moved at least once. The team found that the subjects' weight did not increase significantly when they went from neighborhoods that had low sprawl to areas of high sprawl. "It's widely observed that people are heavier in sprawling neighborhoods than in nonsprawling neighborhoods," Turner told the Times. "There are two possible explanations," he said. "One is that sprawling neighborhoods cause people to be heavy. The other is that people who are predisposed to be heavy are attracted to sprawling neighborhoods." Turner's study, released online, has been criticized by public health researchers and urban planners. Del.icio.us | Digg it | RSS © Copyright 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. United Press International, UPI, the UPI logo, and other trademarks and service marks, are registered or unregistered trademarks of United Press International, Inc. in the United States and in other countries. Post A Comment Your Name Your Email Address Comments Security Code Latest Stories Most Popular Popular Videos Cyclone hits Iran Report: Iran helping Taliban New genetic disease associations found Caribbean frogs came from single species Ford scores well in major quality survey Crude oil prices climb above $66 a barrel 'Ocean's 13' stars enshrined in cement Hoffman, Thompson chance reunion in film MLB: San Diego 5, Los Angeles 2 MLB: Colorado 8, Houston 7 British parents apparently love Muhammad Watercooler Stories Police find body in Kansas kidnapping Lightning silences Giuliani Henin, Sharapova look to protect top seeds Arrest made in Kansas teen's slaying Scientists: Stem cells can make blind see Gates visits Normandy on D-Day anniversary Pope's guards stop man from boarding jeep Oil rises near $66 as cyclone hits Iran Excited families cost teens their diplomas Backlash returns Brownberry bread U.S. House passes rival ethics measures London 2012 Olympic logo ridiculed GOP debaters fire at Bush's war handling Dems. go head-to-head over Iraq war Man with TB allowed to cross border "Borat" star to be a dad Fighting escalates in Lebanon Paris Hilton checks into jail Jessica Simpson and John Mayer split Bush asks for ");sQ1[42]=new Array("http://www.nhregister.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17486739&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=590581&rfi=6","New Haven Register - Shift in hormones adds twists to weight-loss surgery","Weight-loss surgery, once seen as a panacea for the morbidly obese, is emerging as a much more complicated undertaking.","Physicians at the Yale Weight Loss Surgery Program have developed a new bariatric procedure for qualified candidates who are hundreds of pounds overweight. Dr. Robert L. Bell, director of bariatric surgery at Yale-New Haven Hospital, said the increasingly popular operations are revealing some unexpected consequences that potential patients may want to consider before taking the plunge. The first weight-loss surgeries were performed in the 1950s and worked their thinning magic by bypassing a large portion of the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed. The stomach was left intact. Patients undergoing this jejunoileal bypass often lost weight, but also experienced night blindness (from a lack of vitamin A), osteoporosis and other consequences of malabsorption. This procedure is no longer used. Gastric bypasses, in which a portion of the stomach is taken out of the nutrition loop, became state-of-the-art in the 1960s. The laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is now the most frequently performed bariatric surgery in the United States. An estimated 140,000 were performed last year. The surgery is so named because after the surgeon creates a small stomach pouch, the rest of the stomach is stapled off. A piece of small intestine is connected to a spot downstream of the intestine at the base of the stomach. The resulting configuration vaguely resembles a Y. "This is not an easy fix," Bell said. "The patient must still diet and exercise." Pounds are shed and insulin sensitivity improves. At the same time, the hormonal balance is shifted. Gastric inhibitory protein, or GIP, which stimulates insulin production, is reduced. glucagon-like peptide 1, or GLP-1, a hormone that has many roles, including inhibition of food intake, is increased. The hormonal balance eventually renormalizes, Bell said. Another hormone, ghrelin, which increases hunger, goes flat, Bell said. After a time, it begins to be produced in cycles again. "There are many more hormones to be discovered," Bell said. When the hormones disrupted by the Roux-en-Y bypass start to accommodate the surgical changes, some patients start to regain weight, Bell said. Though their stomachs are smaller, they compensate by "grazing," consuming high-calorie foods and gulping caloric liquids. "Behavior needs to change or the weight can be regained," Bell said. The latest bariatric innovation is gastric banding. An adjustable band is placed around the stomach near the esophagus, creating a small stomach pouch. "Weight loss is a little less, there are slightly fewer complications, and the band requires frequent adjustment. The patient must still diet," he said. Unfortunately, the weight loss curves of people who have had gastric bypass surgery are similar to the downs and ups of people following extreme diets. An initial decline in weight reaches a low point and then gradually climbs back up, Bell said. Pharmaceutical companies are working on drugs to block ghrelin. Meanwhile, a new prescription drug, Acomplia (rimonabant) by Sanofi Aventis, targets endocannabinoid receptors in the brain. The illicit drug, marijuana, which increases appetite in some users, also acts on cannabinoid receptors. Bell and colleagues have developed a new procedure that is simpler than the Roux-en-Y and banding, and is appropriate for severe obesity. In the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, most of the stomach is removed. "This may surpass the bypass and the band as surgery of the future," Bell said. The sleeve gastrectomy is suited to people who weigh 600 to 700 pounds because it is simpler and does not involve making new connections between the stomach and the small intestine. Simpler is better, because it ");sQ1[43]=new Array("http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/11/28/earlyshow/contributors/debbyeturner/main2211671.shtml","The Body Mass Index Mystery, BMI Is A Popular Way To Assess Weight","Body Mass Index is a popular way to assess one's physical fitness, but it might not be the most accurate. Some experts say it doesn't take into account gender, age and muscle mass.","Go To Comments (CBS) From the red carpet in Hollywood to the runways of Milan, skinny is the rage. But, in September, Madrid shocked the international fashion world by turning away models they considered too thin from its annual fashion week. Those who were banned had a body mass index, or BMI, below 18. But many people are confused about what BMI means. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say it is a number calculated from a person's weight and height. It's commonly used to classify weight as healthy or unhealthy. The banned models in Madrid, who had a BMI of 18 or less were considered unhealthy. The BMI is calculated using a ratio between weight and height. According to the BMI chart, anything between 19 and 25 is normal and 25 to 30 is overweight. Anything above 30 is obese. But experts say that BMI can be misleading. "You can't take an NFL player, do a BMI on him, and say, 'You know what? Your BMI's at 28. You're overweight,' " Joe Reyes, a fitness trainer at The Sports Club LA in New York City told The Early Show correspondent Debbye Turner. "You know what, he is overweight because he's very, very muscular. He has to be that way." It also doesn't take into consideration other factors such as the differences between men and women, or young and old. Plus BMI doesn't reflect health status like heart disease or high blood pressure. "It should be used maybe as a base and then other tests should be done in order to confirm what that BMI is saying," Reyes said. Suzanne Meth, an exercise physiologist at Equinox gyms in New York City, said BMI is a good way to talk about large populations, but isn't always the best way to determine an individual's weight issues. "When you're looking at an individual's health, you want to lock at body composition, frame type, things like that," she told The Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen. "It's one indicator, but in my opinion, it's not the best … What really matters is composition so you want to have a high amount of lean muscle fat and low amount of body fat. That's the goal, much less the weight." Meth said the best approach is to simply start exercising. "You want to put on muscle mass and try to lower your body fat through cardio, resistance training and eating well," she said. Meth said an easy way to gage physical fitness is divide the waist measurement in inches by the hip measurement in inches. "You want a ratio to be .08 for men and below .01 for men," she said. "You should get your fat measured. You can go to a gym and get a trainer to assess you." ©MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not CBS News stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement. Comments [ + Post Your Own ] Back To Top Advertisement Navigating Body Mass Index Dr. Debbye Turner takes a look at Body Mass Index, or BMI, and how it's measured. Experts say the index isn't straightforward since it neglects gender, age and health status. RELATED VIDEO Navigating Body Mass Index | EARLY SHOW VIDEOS All Early Show Videos G-8 Summit Showdown | Tips For Urban Gardeners | Soccer Goals Pose Risk To Kids | Man Charged In Teen's Murder | TOP VIDEOS All Videos G-8 Summit Showdown | Expert On U.S-Russia Tension | Keeping Teens Safe | Man Charged In Teen's Murder | More Video STORIES VIDEOS PHOTOS • Arrest Made In Kansas Kidnap-Slay Case | E-Mail • Girl, Missing 1 Year, Found In Hidden Room | E-Mail • Love And Lies | E-Mail • Anger At CBS Use Of Diana Photos | E-Mail • Company Recalls Beef Over E. Coli Fears | E-Mail Most Popular Stories RSS Feed• Drug Whistleblower Questioned | E-Mail • Body Found In Search ");sQ1[44]=new Array("http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/06/AR2006120601190.html","Obesity Boosts Kidney Risk in Type 1 Diabetes - washingtonpost.com","WEDNESDAY, Dec. 6 (HealthDay News) -- For people with type 1 diabetes, obesity is also associated with an increased risk of kidney disease, a U.S. study finds.","Home Property Values Rentals Find a Rental Rent Your Place Classifieds Merchandise Pets Death Notices Personals Rentals Legal Notices SEARCH: washingtonpost.com Web | Search Archives washingtonpost.com > Health > Wires Print This ArticleE-Mail This Article  Obesity Boosts Kidney Risk in Type 1 Diabetes Wednesday, December 6, 2006; 12:00 AM WEDNESDAY, Dec. 6 (HealthDay News) -- For people with type 1 diabetes, obesity is also associated with an increased risk of kidney disease, a U.S. study finds. "Our results suggest that weight control is important in type 1 diabetes and that overweight patients with type 1 diabetes may need further evaluation and treatment," study lead author Dr. Ian H. de Boer, of the University of Washington in Seattle, said in a prepared statement. In Depth Success Stories Gain inspiration from Lean Plate Club readers who have lost weight ... and kept it off. AIDS/HIV Twenty-five years after the first diagnosis of the first case of AIDS, the world is waking up to the epidemic. Focus on Bird FluTrack the latest developments in the spread of the deadly H5N1 influenza virus. » MORE SPECIAL REPORTS Save & Share Article What's This? DiggGoogledel.icio.usYahoo!RedditFacebook Type 1 diabetes is the inherited form of the disease, in which the body fails to produce enough insulin. It differs from adult-onset type 2 diabetes, which comprises 95 percent of diabetes cases and is often linked to obesity. In the study, de Boer and colleagues analyzed data on about 1,300 type 1 diabetes patients. These patients were part of a large study that found that intensive insulin therapy -- keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible -- reduced the risk of kidney disease and other diabetes-related complications. In this new study, the researchers looked at what effect obesity -- specifically waist circumference (central obesity) -- had on kidney disease risk. Over an average of nearly six years of follow-up, 8.4 percent of the patients developed microalbuminuria -- small amounts of the protein albumin in urine. This is the first sign of diabetic kidney disease. The risk of microalbuminuria was 4.5 percent for patients who received intensive insulin therapy and 12.8 percent for those who received standard insulin treatment. This study found that the larger a patient's waist measurement, the greater their risk for kidney disease. For each four-inch increase in waist circumference, there was a 34 percent increased risk of microalbuminuria. This held true even after the researchers adjusted for other factors, including intensive insulin therapy. The findings were published online Wednesday by theJournal of the American Society of Nephrology, and are expected to be in the January print issue. "Obesity is a growing problem for people with type 1 diabetes, but little was previously known about whether it affects risk for kidney disease in this group," de Boer said. "Our research shows that central obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing microalbuminuria, which is not only an important sign of kidney disease but also a marker of increased risk for cardiovascular disease," he said. More information The National Kidney Foundation has more about diabetes and kidney disease. SOURCE:Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, news release, Dec. 6, 2006 Print This ArticleE-Mail This ArticleRSS Feed Related ArticlesHealth Tip: What's an A1c Test?Taco Bell ");sQ1[45]=new Array("http://www.nytimes.com/glogin?URI=http://gk.nytimes.com/mem/gatekeeper.html&OQ=_rQ3D1Q26URIQ3DhttpQ3AQ2FQ2Fwww.nytimes.comQ2F2006Q2F12Q2F02Q2FbusinessQ2F02money.htmlQ26OQ51Q3D_rQ513D4Q5126orefQ513DsloginQ5126orefQ513DsloginQ26OPQ3D6bdbe8adQ512F2YfE2tmQ515ELsmmyp2pzzQ513C2Q512Bp2zp2EeLnhfLL2zpQ5126mhfDQ51220yQ5126j&OP=340c9a18Q2FQ25PKeQ25Q26-iKDAkQ259iQ3BDmmQ26cQ25mQ5C!iK9iKAQ252DiKaKKmKQ5C(9iQ3B","The New York Times > Log In","","NYTimes: Home - Site Index - Archive - Help Register for NYTimes.com. • Breaking news and award winning multimedia • New York Times newspaper articles • Arts & Dining reviews • Online Classifieds It's free and it only takes a minute! Member ID or E-Mail Address: Password: Forgot Your Password? Remember me on this computer. Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company | Privacy Policy | Contact Us");sQ1[46]=new Array("http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/print_report.cfm?DR_ID=41401&dr_cat=2","kaisernetwork.org","The Los Angeles Times on Monday examined the association between obesity and the risk of developing breast cancer. According to the Times, a high body mass index for women of childbearing age appears to lower the risk of developing breast cancer; however, the risk increases for girls who have a high BMI before puberty or for postmenopausal women who have a high BMI. A study published last week in the Nov. 27 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine found that the association between fat and a lower risk of developing breast cancer was stronger earlier in a woman's life, the Times reports. The results of the study 'square with the current understanding of how breast cancer develops,' according to the Times. Studies have found that women w","Los Angeles Times Examines Association Between Breast Cancer Risk, Obesity"> Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Monday, December 04, 2006 Public Health & Education Los Angeles Times Examines Association Between Breast Cancer Risk, Obesity      The Los Angeles Times on Monday examined the association between obesity and the risk of developing breast cancer. According to the Times, a high body mass index for women of childbearing age appears to lower the risk of developing breast cancer; however, the risk increases for girls who have a high BMI before puberty or for postmenopausal women who have a high BMI. A study published last week in the Nov. 27 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine found that the association between fat and a lower risk of developing breast cancer was stronger earlier in a woman's life, the Times reports. The results of the study "square with the current understanding of how breast cancer develops," according to the Times. Studies have found that women who have a lower lifetime exposure to estrogen have a lower risk of developing breast cancer. In premenopausal women, fatty tissue produces low levels of estrogen that "feeds back on the ovaries and dampens their cyclical release of estrogen," thus subtracting from the total amount of estrogen to which they are exposed, the Times reports. Postmenopausal women have low levels of estrogen, "thus, any extra estrogen from fat is contributing to their total load, not subtracting," according to the Times. "It's like taking a little birth control pill," Anne McTiernan, director of the Prevention Center at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, said, adding, "Obese and overweight women are not ovulating normally." In addition, obese and overweight premenopausal women are not producing progesterone -- a hormone associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer -- in the same way that women of regular weight are, McTiernan said. According to the Times, health experts say the association of developing breast cancer and obesity should not prompt premenopausal women to gain weight. Amtul Carmichael, a breast cancer researcher at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, England, said, "[O]bese premenopausal women will become obese postmenopausal women," adding, "Obese women are two to three times more likely to die from breast cancer, and that's common to both pre- and postmenopausal women." In addition, treatments such as chemotherapy might be less effective for obese women because chemotherapy is based on weight, but physicians might give obese women slightly lower doses to avoid toxicity, Carmichael said (Beckman, Los Angeles Times, 12/4).");sQ1[47]=new Array("http://www.canada.com/topics/bodyandhealth/story.html?id=79b81afa-5f69-41c3-b9c7-28ca3394c89f","Drastic weight-loss surgery only transforms people halfway","Take control of your health with body, health and fitness news and resources from canada.com.","panniculectomy, a procedure to remove folds of excess skin and flabby tissue Corbeil was left with after he lost half his weight following bariatric, or “stomach-stapling”, surgery. Bariatric surgery may be life transforming, but it transforms people only halfway. Once the weight comes off, people are left with drooping, deflated bellies, chests, breasts, legs, thighs, arms, faces, necks and buttocks. “You know what blowing bubble gum is like? Well, blow a bubble and break it. You’ve got all that loose bubble gum everywhere. It’s the same thing with humans,” says Dr. Don Lalonde, president of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons. “Skin is not elastic. It stays stretched.” But if there is a bias against weight-loss surgery in Canada, there’s “almost a repugnance regarding the surgical care of patients after massive weight loss,” says Dr. Vivian McAlister, a London, Ont. surgeon. McAlister, a transplant surgeon, is books editor for the Canadian Journal of Surgery. In a recent review of Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss — the first ever textbook on the issue, edited by Iowa City surgeon Dr. Al Aly, a leader in the field — McAlister says it seems “negligent” to offer surgery to help people lose weight “without following through with the surgery that restores mobility, increases comfort and allows for the full participation of patients in society.” The most common thing Aly hears from patients is, “I’ve lost the weight. My health is better. But I still look and feel fat, because of all this hanging skin.” In the U.S., “body contouring” after gastric bypass is the fastest growing field of plastic surgery, with 68,134 procedures performed in 2005, up 22 per cent from the previous year, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Depending on the number of procedures performed, surgery can cost $10,000 to $70,000 US. There are no comparable statistics in Canada, but “plastic surgeons in Canada don’t seem too keen to operate” on these patients, says Dr. Doug Davey, an Edmonton bariatric surgeon. Aly says part of the problem is a lack of training. Before the year 2000, there weren’t that many massive weight-loss patients. A plastic surgeon could go his entire career and see one or two. Some saw none. Today, in the U.S., “the numbers are just outrageous — in an average practice, (plastic surgeons see) one or two a week. In our practice, we see 10 or 15 a week.” But Lalonde says it’s a matter of limited resources, and priorities. “If you had someone who used to weigh 400 pounds and now weighs 150 pounds, in order to, quote, solve their problem, you would have to operate on them seven or eight times and you would have to tie up more than a full operating week of general anesthesia time. “It’s expensive for these patients to have it done. Certainly Medicare does not and should not, in my view, cover it.” Lalonde operates on one or two bariatric patients a year.” For those patients, it’s a wonderful thing. But I just don’t have enough operating time and I can’t justify inserting more ahead of cancers and broken hands and broken jaws and cheekbones and faces.” Aly argues some post-weight loss patients have difficulty functioning in society “because of the tremendous amount of excess stuff they have. “Should we or shouldn’t we help them with that?” skirkey@canwest.com CanWest News Service © CanWest News Service  Ads by Google Top Body and Health Stories Heat, pollution deaths to skyrocketThe toxic mix of heat and pollution will become much deadlier and costlier as the... Gallery: Tips for coping with extreme heat10-point scale to replace smog alertsSmog and your healthDiseases on the rise with temperatures: Experts   More Body and Health Stories Health drink blamed for 'erection that would not subside' Coroner wants ban on baby bath seats Soccer considered a high-risk sport: Study Cruise ships battle onboard bugs Study finds widening gap in stroke mortality  Top Lifestyle Stories Room, please!Moving Day presents the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. The trouble is, the... Prevent back injuries on moving dayGet your garage organizedHow to bling out your new homeMore moving tips from our Moving Guide   More Lifestyle Stories Burger season heats up The beautiful skin workout Ten ways to catch a cheater Please procrastinate 'What a nerd!'  Shopping Visit Shopping on canada.comWe've got the inside scoop on everything Shopping");sQ1[48]=new Array("http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20061127/34dieting-ups-mens-gallstone-risk","Yo-Yo Dieting Ups Men's Gallstone Risk","Yo-yo dieting may have another unhealthy and particularly painful side effect for men: gallstones.","repeatedly lose, then regain 20 or more pounds through dieting are up to 76% more likely to develop gallstones later in life than men who maintain a constant weight. Gallstones occur when a solid mass of cholesterol, bile, and calcium salts form in the gallbladder, often causing severe pain in the stomach area and requiring surgical treatment. Obesity and rapid weight loss associated with dieting are known to increase the risk of developing gallstone disease, but researchers say the long-term effects of frequent weight fluctuation on gallstone risk in men hasn't been clear. Yo-Yo Dieting Linked to Gallstones In the study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers analyzed data on nearly 25,000 men who participated in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. The men provided information on weight fluctuations from 1988 to 1992 and were followed from 1992 to 2002 for gallstones. The results showed gallstones were more likely in men whose weight fluctuated more than 5 pounds than those who maintained a constant weight, and the risk of gallstones increased with the degree of weight fluctuation. For example: Men whose weight fluctuated between 5 and 9 pounds per dieting attempt were 21% more likely to have gallstones. Men who had a weight loss of between 10 and 19 pounds had a 38% greater risk. Men who lost 20 or more pounds per dieting attempt were 76% more likely to have gallstones. Percentages above take into account other factors, such as age, physical activity, alcohol intake, smoking, dietary factors, and use of certain medications. The risk of gallstones also increased with the number of yo-yo dieting attempts. Men who lost and regained weight more than once had nearly double the risk of gallstones when compared with men who maintained their weight. Researcher Chung-Jyi Tsai, MD, ScD of the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, and colleagues say many factors associated with yo-yo dieting may work to raise the risk of gallstones, such as an increased concentration of cholesterol in the bile associated with rapid weight loss. SOURCE: Tsai, C. Archives of Internal Medicine, Nov. 27, 2006; vol 166: pp 2369-2374. © 2006 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved. Related Links Glycemic Index: Good versus Bad Carbs 16 Picks for a Healthy Kitchen Americans Won't Eat Their Veggies Colon Cleansers: Are They Safe? Health & Diet Center Health & Diet Guide Just the Facts Eating Healthy Losing Weight Vitamins & More Of Special Interest Help & Support Boards & Blogs News & Features Related Videos Glossary Frequently Asked Questions Recent Health Topics Diet Tips 1 Eat More Veggies 2 Get Cooking 3 Dine Out Wisely 4 Right-Size Portions 5 Fit In Fitness 6 Try Spa Cuisine 7 Find Your Diet Style 8 Manage Hunger 9 Read Labels 10 Avoid Obstacles 11 Limit Sodas 12 Stay Hydrated Related Conditions Cholesterol Diabetes Obesity Hypertension Heart Disease Heartburn/GERD Healthy Living Centers Balance Children’s Health Fitness Food & Cooking Men’s Health Parenting Pregnancy Sex & Relationships Skin & Beauty Women’s Health Hot Topics in Health & Diet The Best Life Diet Evaluate the Latest Diets Quiz: Which Foods Can Help Your Brain? Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You? Hidden Heartburn Triggers Strategies for Diabetes Control Smoothies: Rough on Your Diet? Healthy Snacking Which snacks can boost weight loss? Take-Out Food Tips Take-out doesn’t have to mean the end of a healthy diet. Try some suggestions on how to trim trouble out of your take-out. Fast Food Survival Learn how to eat in a fat-filled, fast-food world. TV Dinner Diet Every now and then you’re not in the mood to cook, so you pop a TV dinner into the microwave. But just because it’s quick doesn’t mean it can’t be healthy. Fridge Makeover What’s in your fridge? If you’re too scared to look then it’s probably time for a refrigerator makeover. Weight Plateaus Weight loss plateaus are a fact of life for most dieters. But a scale that won’t budge doesn’t have to be an excuse to give up.video library > How often do you eat fast food? Twice a week or more About once a week A couple times a month Less than once a month > View Results Newsletter Physician Directory Locate a specialist near you. Drug Search Search drugs by brand or condition. First Aid From allergies to sunburn, we can help. Symptom Checker To check symptoms, start here. WebMD Special Sections Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss Slimming Foods for Summer Diets Sudoku Brain Booster How-To Guide for a Healthier You Weight Loss Surgery: Pros and Cons Allergic Asthma Info Alzheimer’s Questions? Bipolar Rx Info Bone H");sQ1[49]=new Array("http://newsblaze.com/story/20061114155624tsop.nb/newsblaze/NEWSWIRE/NewsBlaze-Wire.html","Bariatric Surgery: Drastic Measures for Drastic Measurements","Surgical preparation usually includes weight loss and conditioning for the patient immediately before the operation, and then there is a lot of lifestyle and maintenance work.","health, musculoskeletal conditions and sleep disorders. But perhaps the most important outcome shown is that these health improvements are lasting, specifically because patients of bariatric surgery have excellent chances of maintaining a much lower, much healthier weight for years to come. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, "bariatric surgery offers the best treatment to produce sustained weight loss in patients who are morbidly obese." That assessment has been borne out by the statistics. The maximum weight loss is usually reached between 18 and 24 months after their surgery. The amount of weight lost tends to vary a little between the various procedures, but on an average, a loss of 60 percent of the excess weight was still maintained at five years after the surgery. One study of over 600 patients reported that an average of 50 percent of the excess weight lost was still maintained at 14 years after the surgery. The numbers for weight loss maintenance in other treatment approaches come nowhere near these rates. Roughly speaking, the "morbidly obese" are those defined as being 100 pounds overweight, or with a body mass index (BMI) of 39 or more. A score of 35 or more is used for those who already have associated health problems, such as diabetes or heart disease. Also referred to as "clinically severe obesity," it's a condition that presently affects about six million Americans. And for these people, the risks associated with remaining overweight are simply much greater than the risks of going under the knife. People at lower BMIs typically are not considered as candidates for bariatric surgery without extenuating circumstances. And sometimes people above a BMI of 40 are not considered because of other factors. Certain psychological conditions might preclude an individual's candidacy, or an inability to commit to lifestyle changes necessary for weight maintenance. For instance, people who consume lots of sweets and high-fat junk foods and who don't really plan to give them up, won't get the lasting improvements they want from the surgery. And there are some patients who have delicate health complications such that they may have to lose weight in a supervised program before undergoing the surgery. With rates for complications below 2 percent and mortality of less than one-half a percent, bariatrics surgeries have proven, safety-wise, to be comparable to other elective procedures, and far less risky than the heart bypass operations that are so common today. That's a remarkably low incidence of post- operative complications, particularly considering that the general health in this patient population is highly compromised by their excess weight to begin with. Yet even as new techniques are developed that improve the safety and efficacy of bariatric procedures-and minimize some of their unpleasant side effects-experts worry that the public will get the idea that these are routine surgeries that offer a silver bullet solution to the problems of the gravely obese. Surgery is a complex and demanding procedure for both the doctor and the patient, and like any surgery, it shouldn't be taken lightly. Most bariatric surgery specialists will not agree to perform a bariatric procedure on a patient who hasn't already demonstrated a concerted effort to get rid of some of their excess through more conventional weight- loss methods. Surgical preparation usually includes weight loss and conditioning for the patient immediately before the operation, and then there is a lot of lifestyle and maintenance work afterwards. That's the investment. The return? Early death related to weight decreases markedly, and aside from the other specific medical improvements, studies also show that bariatric surgery patients get improved mobility and stamina, better mood and self-esteem, improvements in social interactivity and interpersonal effectiveness. And for overall quality of life, that means a real long-term gain. Through Thick & Thin Bariatric surgery is remarkably effective, but it's no silver bullet. Before seeking a bariatric surgeon, consider getting counseling to help establish whether you have the commitment and the support system in place to make the lifestyle changes you'll need to make the surgery successful over the long haul. Caroline J. Cederquist, M.D. is a board certified Family Physician and a board ");sQ1[50]=new Array("http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/12-06/12-13-06/02health.htm","SouthCoastToday.com - Health - 'Belly band' operations give teens hope  - December 12, 2006","Breaking news, local news, community forums, classifieds, regional news and more for the SouthCoast Massachusetts region.","with patients at a young age," Teixeira said. "We need to start with education and not with surgery." With procedures costing $15,000 to $30,000, "bariatric surgery is profitable for hospitals. ... The interest is going to be there for developing a pediatric program," Teixeira said. Doctors said dropping pounds helps obese kids shed more than social stigma. It can address related ailments from diabetes to sleep apnea. "It just gives these kids a shot at a normal life," says New York University surgeon Dr. George Fielding. "These people are really fat, really unhappy — and often, really sick." Zitsman said he agrees surgery should not be the first choice. "I tell everyone right upfront that we're not interested in selling operations. This is a program. The surgery is just one piece of it," Zitsman said. "If society would put us out of business, we'd be happy to close." ——— Ashley, age 17; height: 5-foot-5; previous weight: 271 pounds; current weight: 230 pounds Around age 10, "Ashley" (not her real name) was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome, a reproductive ailment that often brings on obesity as a side effect. Her weight began steadily climbing — and it brought out the worst in her classmates. "They used to taunt me and tease me, and they used to break into my locker. I had food thrown at me. I had name-calling all the time, from the guys. ... It was really taking a toll on me," said Ashley, now a high school senior. "My self-esteem just went down to the point where I couldn't enter the lunchroom without having a friend next to me." After learning about and then undergoing gastric-band surgery on Aug. 29, Ashley dropped 23 pounds in the first month. Now, instead of downing huge fast-food meals, breakfast consists of an egg and a pear. "My headaches have gone away. ... My acne cleared up," Ashley says. "Now I'm eating so much more protein, vegetables that I never used to eat." Ashley — whose mom is so pleased with the results that she plans to undergo the surgery — says her self-esteem is blossoming, and she feels more confident as she prepares to choose a college. "It saved my life," she says. "I think it's going to help me be a better person in the long run." ——— Kyle, age 16; height: 5-foot-8; previous weight: 329 pounds; current weight: 210 pounds Even when he lugged around more than 300 pounds, Kyle Kupfer says it wasn't cruel classmates that made him consider bariatric surgery. In fact, he had a lot of friends. But he was just eating way too much — bread was a favorite — and by age 15, diabetes was setting in and his overburdened knees were causing him trouble. Although he had lousy eating habits, "It wasn't like I was binging and going crazy. Some people assume that," he said. "I was always very active. I guess it was, I don't know, luck of the draw." He had tried to lose weight. "I've gone to a nutritionist. Gyms. Personal trainer. I played sports. Diets. Everything," said Kyle, now 16. Eventually, he opted for gastric-band surgery. Since May, he has dropped more than 100 pounds. He wears size 34 pants instead of a 48 or 50. His knees hurt less, he s");sQ1[51]=new Array("http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/525874/","Newswise Medical News | Hospitalization of Obese Patients More than Doubles","","Doubles LibrariesMedical News KeywordsOBESITY HOSPITAL TREATMENT STATISTICS BARIATRIC SURGERY HCUP Contact Information Available for logged-in reporters only DescriptionHospital stays of obese patients increased by 112 percent between 1996 and 2004, rising from 797,000 to 1.7 million. The federal study looked at the hospital stays of patients who were admitted for their obesity and the stays of obese patients hospitalized for other diseases. Newswise — Hospital stays of obese patients increased by 112 percent between 1996 and 2004, rising from 797,000 to 1.7 million, according to a new report by HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The federal study looked at the hospital stays of patients who were admitted for their obesity and the stays of obese patients hospitalized for other diseases. The findings relating to patients admitted to the hospital for treatment of obesity include: • These patients had 126,000 hospital stays and most were admitted for gastric bypass or other weight loss surgery; and more than half were 18 to 44 years old ; the remaining patients were primarily ages 45 to 64. Women accounted for about 82 percent of all patients admitted for treatment of their obesity. • Almost all the patients hospitalized for treatment of obesity were morbidly obese, meaning they weighed at least two times more than their ideal weight. • Hospital costs for patients admitted for obesity treatment were an average of $11,700 per stay. The findings related to obese patients who were admitted to the hospital for other treatments include: • They were admitted for other diseases accounted for the roughly 1.6 million other hospital stays. The greatest proportion – 7 percent – was hospitalized for hardening of the arteries. Other leading conditions included congestive heart failure, osteoarthritis, skin");sQ1[52]=new Array("http://www.livescience.com/health/061119_diet_exercise.html","Exercise Trumps Diet for Weight Loss | LiveScience","Hitting the gym is a better way to trim down than agonizing over portion size, a new study suggests. ","provides enormous benefits with respect to reducing the risk of disease and is effective for weight loss," Weiss said. "Furthermore, based on studies in rodents, there is a real possibility that calorie restriction provides benefits that cannot be achieved through exercise-induced weight loss." The study is detailed in an online edition of the Journal of Applied Physiology. Science Confirms Diet Tactic: Eat Slow, Eat Less The Biggest Popular Myths When Healthy Food is Not Dieting Man Slims Down to 1,000 Pounds Related Items from the LiveScience Store Digital Fat Caliper $34.95 Orion TurboView 10x25 Compact Binocular $19.95 More Stores to Explore Go to Store Go to Store Advertisement From Our Blogs blogs 06.06.07 by Leonard David Japan Moon Probe Named Japan is ready to launch a sophisticated Moon probe this summer, formerly known as the SELenological and ENginering Explorer (SELENE). The Japan ... 06.04.07 by Anthony Duignan-Cabrera A Momentary Lapse of Reason ... One can only hope that NASA chief Mike Griffin's recent assertions about how humanity should respond to global climage changes was just an ... 06.04.07 by Robert Roy Britt Shark Attacks and Irrational Fear Susan Dornquast was bitten on the leg by a 5-foot bull shark in South Carolina the other day while standing in about 2 feet of water. It takes just ... Environment View all First-Ever 5,000-Year Record of Hurricanes Compiled Scientists created the longest-ever record of hurricane strikes and show ... Revised Global Warming Forecast: Even More Rain As world warms, rainfall could become more intense than previously ... What's Your Environmental Footprint? Going "Green" is red-hot these days, but are you really in the know? How ... Animals View all Study: Hundreds of Bird Species Endangered by 2050 New projections say climate change and habitat destruction will imperil ... Sharks Use Strange Trick to Hunt Prey Sharks use their bodies' lateral lines to detect the complex “odor ... Top 10 Most Incredible Animal Journeys Animals will make extraordinary and often mysterious expeditions to find a ... Technology View all New Device Turns Waste Heat into Electr");sQ1[53]=new Array("http://www.health24.com/dietnfood/Weight_Centre/15-51-2992-3081,35706.asp","Health 24 - Weight loss - Other weight loss methods","","for your body. Try the burn-o-meter 5 min of kissing burns 7 calories. Hairbrushing burns 12. Sex even more. This tool reveals all. TERMS NEWSLETTER MAKE HEALTH24 YOUR HOMEPAGE H24 NEWS MEDICAL SCHEMES DIET FITNESS NATURAL MAN WOMAN SEX PREGNANCY CHILD TEENS FOCUS CENTRES TEETH PET MIND GRAPHICS VIDEOS ANTI-AGEING FIND WIN TOOLS SHOP EXPERTS TALK Diet Food journey Weight loss Lose weight Healthy diets Obesity Diet detective A-Z of pills/shakes Calorie corner Teen diet section Other weight loss methods Fat's effect on the body Nutrition basics You are what you eat Eating throughout life Food as medicine Probiotics Diabetic diet Allergy & intolerance Food-related disease What is in food? Vitamins & Minerals Water Centre Top 10 foods Daily meals Healthy foods Beverages Rate your plate DietDoc's articles Afrikaans New research General Health tips Poll Maternity benefits Do companies have a fair maternity leave policy? Learn more about maternity benefits. Yes, most companies do Some do Not good enough Only if you insist You are in: Health24 > Diet > Weight loss > Other weight loss methods > Surgery DO THIS: TEST/QUIZ YOURSELF GREAT DIET GUIDES I WANT TO... Select a test Check your BMI Check your waist-hip ratio Your basal metabolic rate What is your healthy weight? Eating to optimise your health? Is your toddler eating properly? Eating to control headaches? Eating correctly to lose weight? Eating too much fat? Vegetarian: eating correctly? Do you eat enough fibre? Is your diet cholesterol-healthy? 1 Is your diet cholesterol-healthy? 2 Select a guide Measure your waist Measure your height How to read food labels Storing food in the fridge Storing food in the freezer Guide to good oral health What is your body type? Cut those Christmas calories Which muesli beats the rest? Select one Lose weight in 6 easy steps Detox Gain weight Prevent a heart attack Feel less tired Boost my immunity Feel less bloated Use the glycaem");sQ1[54]=new Array("http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=58604","Obesity Linked To Increased Kidney Disease Risk In Type 1 Diabetes","For patients with type 1 diabetes, obesity is an important risk factor for the development of diabetic kidney disease, reports a study in the January <I","adjustment for other risk factors, including intensive insulin therapy. Obesity did not affect the rate of decline in kidney function, based on a test called creatinine clearance. Other risk factors for faster declines in creatinine clearance were older age, conventional insulin therapy, smoking, and poorer control of blood sugar levels. "Obesity is a growing problem for people with type 1 diabetes, but little was previously known about whether it affects risk for kidney disease in this group," says Dr. de Boer. "Our research shows that central obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing microalbuminuria, which is not only an important sign of kidney disease but also a marker of increased risk for cardiovascular disease." The results suggest that losing weight might help to reduce the risk of kidney and heart disease in obese patients with type 1 diabetes, although further study would be needed to confirm this. The new report also provides an interesting follow-up to the DCCT and other studies showing the value of intensive insulin therapy. "Although intensive insulin therapy is associated with weight gain, our study showed again that, overall, intensive insulin therapy is protective against kidney disease in type 1 diabetes," Dr. de Boer adds. "In fact, intensive insulin therapy was associated with preservation of creatinine clearance over time, a benefit that had not been previously described." The study entitled, "Central Obesity, Incident Microalbuminuria, and Change in Creatinine Clearance in the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Study," will be available online at http://www.jasn.org beginning on Wednesday, December 6 and in print in the January issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. The ASN is a not-for-profit organization of 9,500 physicians and scientists dedicated to the study of nephrology and committed to providing a forum for the promulgation of information regarding the latest research and clinical findings on kidney diseases. American Society of Nephrology (ASN) 1725 I St., NW, Ste 510 Washington, DC 20006 United States http://www.jasn.org < back to top - View the latest Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News. - Back to latest medical news headlines. - Get medical news headlines weekly with our e-mail newsletter. - Huge database of hospitals world wide . Contact Our Medical News Editors For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form. Please s");sQ1[55]=new Array("http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou061206_ac_bariatricaddiction.d6002c.html","LOCAL NEWS | KHOU.com | News for Houston, Texas","","support group meeting at Memorial Hermann Hospital. A growing number of people are now fighting the battle of the bulge with bariatric surgery. Whether it’s a gastric bypass or a lap band procedure - patients are losing weight. But could they also be gaining an addiction? “Nothing will give me the satisfaction that Oreos and ice cream will,” one patient said. “I can’t cross-addict that.” At a bariatric support group meeting at Memorial Hermann Hospital, they debate the issue what might happens when over eating is no longer an option. “If I can’t do that, yeah it would be easier to go and get a drink and not deal with the problems,” bariatric patient Kim Linden said. Linden lost 125 pounds. She has not gained an addiction, but she believes the risk is there. “After surgery your stomach has changed, but the rest of you hasn’t,” Linden said. “Your way of thinking and feeling is still all the same, but you can’t medicate the same way as you did before.” At the University of Texas bariatric center, 800 surgeries have been done since 2003. Patients must have a psychiatric evaluation before surgery. Dr. Erik Wilson believes only two or three of those patients developed an addictive behavior. “The vast majority of patients are so much healthier so much more successful, so much happier if they have a tool to help them lose weight,” Dr. Wilson said. Sherri Blatt is 19 months out of surgery. “It really has nothing to do with cross addiction,” Blatt said. She is also a recovering alcoholic. “This does not even make me come close to start drinking,” he said. In the meeting, most people weighed in on the same side of the transfer addiction issue: The problem might be the individual not the surgery. Print this story Add RSS Feeds Email this story Advertisement Forums, Photos & More News Your Way: Have the latest news headlines delivered to your favorite RSS reader. Discuss: Debate politics and the news behind the headlines in our discussion forums. Explore the Web: Hear about a Web link on 11 News? Find a link here. Submit Your Pics: Snap a photo of a breaking news? Share it with others. Got a Tip? Have an idea for 11 News Investigates? Contact Jeremy Rogalski or Mark Greenblatt. Compare the Candidates: Learn more about candidates in local elections. More Local News HISD leader proposes 10th consecutive teacher raise Cyclist killed ");sQ1[56]=new Array("http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852571020057CCF6852572950054E58E","News - Weight Loss Surgery Rate Increases Among Teens, But Still Uncommon in Adolescents","Weight Loss Surgery Rate Increases Among Teens, But Still Uncommon in Adolescents","CancerParkinson'sPathologyPituitaryPregnancyProstate CancerPsoriasisPsychiatry OtherPulmonary OtherRadiation OncologyRadiologyRenal CancerRenal FailureRespiratory InfectionsRheumatoid ArthritisRheumatology OtherRhinitisSARSSchizophreniaScoliosisSepsisShoulderSickle Cell AnemiaSleep ApnoeaSleep DisordersSmoking Related DisordersSpineStrokeSTDsSurgerySynovitisThalassemiaThrombosisThyroid DisordersTransfusionTransplant Surgery OtherTraumaUrinary IncontinenceUrinary Tract InfectionsVaccinologyVascular DisordersViral Infections Paediatrics SEARCH Doctor's Guide Free CME The Web Medline Congress Resource Centre EXPLORE : Most Read News All News All Webcasts / CME All Cases Congress Resource Centre All Medical Resources My Personal Edition Warning | Privacy Recent news - Paediatrics Criteria Developed to Detect Bone Mass Deficiencies in Children with Chronic Diseases - (DGNews) How Do Pediatricians Handle Behavior Problems? - (DGNews) Capsule Endoscopy is Effective in Diagnosing Childhood GI Problems: Presented at DDW - (DGNews) Regression of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Common in Hypertensive Children: Presented at ASH - (DGDispatch) Inhaled Steroids may not Be Enough for Some Asthmatic Kids: Presented at ATS - (DGNews) News archive Recent webcasts/CME - Paediatrics Preventing Cervical Cancer: Evolving Viewpoints in HPV for Family Practitioners and Pediatricians Volume 1 Issue 2 Addressing Safety Concerns in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis What is the Role of Abdominal Computerized Tomography in Children with Head Injury? Leukemias in Children Special Issues in the Management of Adolescent IBD Webcasts/CME archive Recent cases - Paediatrics Endotracheal Tube Positioning Using a Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscope During Tracheoesphogeal Fistula Repair Endoscopic Management of a Giant Ethmoid Mucocele Resolution of Disseminated Fusariosis in a Child with Acute Leukemia Treated with Combined Antifungal Therapy: A Case Report Multiple Furunculoid Myiasis on the Scalp of a Child Anaesthesia Management of a Known Case of Progeria for Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Cases archive my personal edition > paediatrics > news E-Mail this DGNews to a colleague DGNews Weight Loss Surgery Rate Increases Among Teens, But Still Uncommon in Adolescents CHICAGO, IL -- March 5, 2007 -- The number of adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery for weight loss more than tripled between 2000 and 2003, but bariatric surgery in adolescents remains an uncommonly performed procedure, and teens represent less than 1% of patients having such procedures, according to a report in the March issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. Most obese teens are still treated through diet and behavioral methods, according to background information in the article. However, bariatric or weight-loss surgery is increasingly considered an option for teens who have health problems related to their weight. Common types of bariatric surgery include gastric bypass and gastric banding. Wilson S. Tsai, MD, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, and colleagues used data from a nationwide sample of ");sQ1[57]=new Array("http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=6212322&nav=3w6o","14 WFIE, The Tri-State's News Leader: Weight loss success: Teachers lose as a group","","Personal ForecastGolf Forecast for Southwest Indiana CoursesGolf Forecast for Kentucky CoursesGolf Forecast for Southern Illinois CoursesMy School ForecastMy School Personal Forecast for Indiana SchoolsSchool Closing Alert Sign UpMy School Personal Forecast for Kentucky SchoolsMy School Personal Forecast for Illinois SchoolsDesktop Weather CenterSevere Weather AlertsWX Radio S.A.M.E. 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Expert commentaryWedding Season's Coming: Maid of honor dutiesWedding etiquette: Mother of thes ");sQ1[58]=new Array("http://www.latinopm.com/","Latino Perspectives Magazine - Phoenix, Arizona","","Phoenix 72F Our Fathers Loco for Lucha Latino Medical Report Fresnadillo's 28 Weeks Later In This Issue June 2007 - View the whole issue OUR FATHERS Four fathers share their stories about children and parenting Alums teach at alma maters By Georgann Yara Hungarian connection New Pink Taco chef explores nuances of Mexican cooking By Anita Mabante Leach New books take minds off summer heat By Angela Rabago-Mussi Party of the century Arizona Centennial offers chance for Latinos to break big piñata By Ruben Hernandez Columns Archive » Najera Nites BUDDHA-ING UP FOR A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING By Marcos Najera Archive » Through My Eyes Personal Victory Persistence helped her cross finish line in blustery Boston By Catherine Anaya Archive » Civic Lessons Who will win in Phoenix City Council District 7? By Israel Torres What's New? Bringing back the barrio, one flower at a timeA hero in hoseSpanish director infects â€�28 Weeks Later’ with scary reality Calendar View All » â€�DRAW ME A PICTURE’ 06.07.2007 For decades Monument Valley was used as a backdrop in Hollywood westerns that depicted American Indians in racist terms. Navajo artist Steven... â€�RENEGADE CLAY: FIVE VIEWS FROM THE WEST’ 06.07.2007 Exhibition showcases the work of five artists from western United States who are redefining work in clay: Rebekah Bogard, Neveda; Shay Church,... â€�LATENT IMAGE: CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY IN ARIZONA’ 06.07.2007 Latent Image celebrates the incredible talent and diversity of Arizona artists who utilized photography as their means of expression. The title... â€�LATENT IMAGE: CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY IN ARIZONA’ 06.07.2007 Latent Image celebrates the incredible talent and diversity of Arizona artists who utilized photography as their means of expression. The title... Movin' UpView All » For a closer look at these latinos Movin' Up, click the View All link above! Victor Flores, David Cavazos, Michelle Angie, Jose Carrera Jr.,Edward Celaya, Forge de los Santos George DiazMargie Emmermann Jan LesherTodd SandersKurt TingleyJanice MillerWendy VitoriLyn WhiteArmando ContrerasDr. Adalberto RenteriaMargie Puerta EdsonMichael Baker Jr., Inc.Steven JimenezFrank CamachoHector GonzalesLinda WilliamsMichael GrantVanessa DiazBeverly BrozewiczSkyline High SchoolRuben MontesJoseph GuerinoAmber HarrisKyle KoldingDesire SalmoElizabeth TorresDiana Bejarano-Medina");sQ1[59]=new Array("http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=62530","Older Adults Face Double Whammy When It Comes To Body Fat","When it comes to body fat, today's older adults face a double whammy, according to new research from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and colleagues. Up until age 80, older adults not onl","a researcher on aging at Wake Forest Baptist. The study, reported in the current issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, focuses on changes in body composition related to aging and in the population over time. It is significant because the researchers used DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) to measure actual body fat to determine the proportion of fat versus lean mass (muscle and organs). The measurements were made on 1,786 well-functioning older adults from Pittsburgh, Pa., and Memphis, Tenn., from 1997 to 2003. Participants were 70-79 at the time of enrollment, a critical period for the development of disability. Body composition -- especially the combination of too much body fat and a decrease in muscle -- is believed to contribute to disability. "This study provides a better picture of age-related changes in body composition and it's not a good picture," said Ding, an assistant professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine. "It demonstrates that up until age 80, both older men and women gained fat but lost lean mass each year. These age-related changes were compounded by the obesity epidemic." In addition to measuring the effects of aging on body composition, the researchers also looked at the effects of the obesity epidemic, which most scientists agree began in the late 1970s. Between 1976-80 and 1999-2000, the rate of obesity doubled in older adults. The scientists divided participants into 10 groups based on their birth years (from 1918 to 1927). They found that at the same age, those born later -- who had spent more years during the period when obesity was increasing -- had a higher percentage of body fat. For example, among 80-year-old men, those born in 1927 had about 10 pounds more fat and 3.75 pounds of muscle, compared to those born in 1918. "The combined effects of aging and the obesity epidemic results in bigger body size and less lean mass among the elderly," said Ding. "This may lead to disability and other illnesses in the elderly and could be dramatic in the coming years. It points out the great public health importance of developing appropriate interventions that target fat loss while preserving skeletal muscle to prevent disability and other obesity-related illnesses." ### The research was supported, in part, by the National Institute on Aging. The researchers analyzed data from the Health Aging and Body Composition (ABC) Study, a large study investigating the effects of body composition on morbidity, disability and mortality in the elderly. Other centers involved in the study were the University of Pittsburgh, University of Queensland in Australia, UV Medical Center in the Netherlands, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of California at San Francisco, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, University of Florida and North Florida/South Georgia Health System. Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center is an academic health system comprised of North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Wake Forest University Health Sciences, which operates the university's School of Medicine. U.S. News & World Report ranks Wake Forest University School of Medicine 18th in family medicine, 20th in geriatrics, 25th in primary care and 41st in research among the nation's medical schools. It ranks 35th in research funding by the National Institutes of Health. Almost 150 members of the medical school faculty are listed in Best Doctors in America. Contact: Karen Richardson Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center < back to top - View the latest Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News. - Back to latest medical news headlines. - Get medical news headlines weekly with our e-mail newsletter. - Huge database of hospitals world wide . Contact Our Medical News Editors For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form. Please send any medical news or health news press releases to: Back to top Back to front page List of All Medical Articles Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions © 2007 MediLexicon International Ltd Web design by Alastair Hazell from Bexhill, UK News Categories Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness Abortion Acid Reflux / GERD ADHD Aid / Disasters Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs Allergy Alzheimer's / Dementia Anxiety / Stress Arthritis Autism Bio-terrorism / Terrorism Biology / Biochemistry Bipolar Bird F");sQ1[60]=new Array("http://ottsun.canoe.ca/News/National/2007/02/11/3586780-sun.html","ottawasun.com - National/World - Teens, eat healthy? Fat chance!","The Ottawa Sun newspaper Online","Restaurants Shopping Sports & Recreation Travel Wedding, Bridal SUNshine Girl Sun Bloggers From Here ... Sports Bloggin' Remote Control Autonet/Sun Drive Community Corner Expedition Africa It's A Dog's Life Job & Education Choices New Homes Ottawa's 150th Travel Winter Swimsuits Classified Extra Jobboom Autonet Homes for Sale Health & Fitness Trends Discovery Eat Sex Files Gadgets DIY Lotteries Comics Crossword Horoscopes TV Listings Movie Listings Subscriptions Advertising News Research About Us Contact Us Sun, February 11, 2007 Teens, eat healthy? Fat chance! By EARL MCRAE The revised Canada Food Guide means the end of teenagers as we know them. The story you are searching for is no longer available on Ottawasun.com, but is available in its entirety via email, fax or mail for $12.00 (plus GST), payable with credit card (include expiry date). If you have been directed to this page via a search engine or link from outside the Canoe/Sun network, we apologize for the inconvenience, but we cannot control whether outside agencies or service providers keep their links up to date. 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Division, Ishpeming, MI 49849 906-486-4401 FAX: 906-486-8992 Marquette Office: 249 W. Washington, Marquette, MI 49855 906-228-2500 News FAX: 906-228-2617 Ads FAX: 906-228-3273 Munising Office: Room 109, 411 Elm Ave., Munising, MI 49862 News: 906-387-3010 / Circulation: 906-387-5424 FAX: 906-387-4944 Toll Free: 1-800-562-7811 If you have any problems, questions, or comments regarding www.miningjournal.net, please contact the Webmaster. For all other comments, please see our feedback page. Users of this site agree to our Terms of Service. Copyright © 2006– The Mining Journal Administration");sQ1[62]=new Array("http://www.thestate.com/living/","The State | Life & Style","","Surveys Weddings Site Services About The State Contact Us Past Articles How to Advertise Photo Reprints Maps & Directions RSS Feeds Yellow Pages Carrier Application • Front page • Metro • Sports Life & Style Life & Style NEIL WHITE'S LATEST Might as well face it, you’re addicted to ... something! Jet-setter with TB redefines ‘Stupid’ tour Have a doggone big time at the ballgame ‘Idol’ talk, nose for news and fish tales Talk About Town: Family of ‘buffs’ kick off National Tourism Week HOT DATES Thursday June 7 Take a deep breath Get a bit of Fresh Air and an earful of their oldies tunes at Vista After 5. When: 5:30 tonight Where: behind Jillians Cost: Free Information: www.vistaafter5.com Friday June 8 It’s hip to be ... Savor music under the stars with Charlotte’s Square Roots at the Music at Sandhill concert series. When: 6-8 p.m. Friday Where: Town Center Common at the Village at Sandhill Cost: Free Information: www.villageatsandhillonline.com Saturday June 9 Feel the vibrations Reggae group Mystic Vibrations delivers a slice of the Caribbean to the Summer Concert Series. When: 7-10 p.m. Saturday Where: Finlay Park Cost: Free Information: (803)343-8750 or www.summerconcerts.org Sunday June 10 Piano festival Marina Lomazov, Scott Price, Joseph Rackers and Charles Fugo kick off the week-long Southeastern Piano Festival with the “Piano Fireworks” gala concert. When: 6 p.m. Sunday Where: USC School of Music recital hall Cost: $15 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for college students, free for those 18 or younger Information: www.music.sc.edu TOP STORY Tracking turtles Loggerhead researchers work to save turtles off the Charleston coast The Lady Lisa cuts a smooth line in the glassy green water of Charleston Harbor. The 75-foot trawler’s heavily netted arms reach out in the early morning sun and seem to balance her ride toward open water. MORE LIFE & STYLE Dinner party bombshell Tony’s descent parallels drama’s demise Styx and stones: Panozzo remembers the band’s good, bad years Thursday TV talk Thursday TV highlights SUNDAY LIFE & ARTS top_stories'> ‘Longing’ to get together In 1967, Philip Glass moved to New York from Paris, where he had been studying piano music. Writer Cohen declares ‘I’m Your Man’ Glass full of music Revisions nothing new for masterpiece ‘Swan Lake’ Spoleto 2007: Onstage and backstage Rash’s descriptive stories in ‘Chemistry’ fizzle out FOOD top_stories'> Coca-Cola in the mix ATLANTA — There’s a New World of Coca-Cola in downtown Atlanta and an old world of Coca-Cola in recipe boxes and cookbooks aroun");sQ1[63]=new Array("http://www.postchronicle.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=7&num=61849","Lap Band Surgery Good For Obese Youngsters - Health: The Post Chronicle","The gastric banding procedure places an inflatable silicon ring around the upper portion of the stomach, creating a smaller stomach that helps patients feel full and limits the amount of food they eat.","Email this article Print this page Send Us A Tip Lap Band Surgery Good For Obese Youngsters By Staff Jan 31, 2007 U.S. researchers say they have determined lap band surgery is apparently an effective procedure to combat adolescent obesity. The research at the New York University Medical Center and School of Medicine -- the first to evaluate the procedure in patients under the age of 17 -- indicates patients on average lost about 50 percent of their excess weight one year after surgery. The study involved 53 morbidly obese adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17, most of them girls, researchers said, noting a person is considered morbidly obese when they become about 100 pounds overweight. The gastric banding procedure places an inflatable silicon ring around the upper portion of the stomach, creating a smaller stomach that helps patients feel full and limits the amount of food they eat. The ring is connected to a port that is placed underneath the skin at the time of surgery. The minimally invasive procedure -- currently approved only for adults -- takes less than an hour, is reversible, adjustable, and requires no cutting or rerouting of the gastrointestinal tract. The study appears in the January issue of the Journal of Pediatric Surgery. (c) UPI Share This Article: Email this article Print this page Read Comments Post comments to Staff Your full name: Comments Your Comments Here © Copyright 2004-2007 by Post Chronicle Corp. Top of Page PostChronicle.com is best viewed with an 1024x768 screen resolution SCIENCE SPONSORS SEARCH tPC Web SPONSORS Disclaimer: Many of the stories on this site may or may not contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Where ever and whenever possible The Post Chronicle™ sources and or includes the name of the author/owner and gives them full recognition for the excellent and invaluable work they do. The Post Chronicle™ make such information available because of it's newsworthiness in our efforts to advance understanding of: free speech, the free press, environmental issues, political practices, human rights, economics, democracy in general, science, political and social issues");sQ1[64]=new Array("http://www.fox11az.com/news/topstories/stories/kmsb-20070129-apjc-weightlosssurgeryaz.2f2e61dd.html","Top Stories | FOX11AZ.com | News for Tucson, Arizona","KMSB Fox 11 News, Tucson, Arizona. Our News page includes lastest and Breaking News, Headlines, Articles, Video, Feeds and RSS.","Hospital and Carondelet St. Joseph's in Tucson, provide the surgery. Tucson Medical Center doesn't provide it nor does it cover bariatric surgery under its employee health insurance plan, according to spokeswoman Julia Strange, who said the procedures are still considered somewhat experimental. The American Society for Bariatric Surgery sets standards for bariatric surgery programs in the U.S. It requires a facility to have at least two surgeons experienced in weight-loss surgeries. For Brown, bariatric surgery could save his life. He has been disabled for years by an industrial accident that damaged his spine. His surgically repaired knees can't support his weight for long, so he can't exercise to lose weight. On Jan. 7, Brown, a Medicare patient, went to Phoenix to begin a six-month intake process at a hospital there that will lead to Medicare-approved stomach-banding surgery. Medicare covers bariatric surgery, but only after a six-month waiting period in which the patient is expected to diet and exercise to lose weight. And it covers only facilities with high success rates and low death rates in bariatric surgery. Only three facilities in Arizona - two in Phoenix and one in Scottsdale - provide Medicare and Medicaid-covered bariatric surgery. No facility in Tucson has been Medicare-approved. Brown heard about the bariatric surgery program at Carondelet St. Joseph's Hospital and had been meeting with its bariatric surgeon but could not wait for it to become a Medicare-approved Center of Excellence in bariatric surgery. As his health worsened, Brown and his wife, Joanne, who helps care for him around the clock, chose to get help from the surgeons at the Medicare-approved Scottsdale Bariatric Center, who operate at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Campus Hospital in Scottsdale. Brown said his cardiologist has given her approval for noninvasive (laparoscopic) surgery that will insert a band to reduce the size of his stomach but leave his small intestine intact. The stomach band can be adjusted externally with a saline-pump device inserted in the abdomen, Joanne Brown said. More invasive bariatric surgery cuts out part of the small intestine and surgically reduces the stomach. It requires cutting open the abdomen, a riskier procedure for obese people with multiple medical issues. Brown said he is eager to undergo surgery and begin "to get my life back." He wants to be able to walk easily next door to visit his granddaughter. "If I could just get rid of this," he said, placing his hands on his belly. While Brown's surgery will be covered by Medicare, most such procedures are not. In Arizona in 2005, 66 percent of bariatric surgeries were paid for by private insurance, 9 percent were paid by Medicare and 4 percent were paid by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. The cost of the surgery, an estimated $18,000 and up, depending on the type of surgery, is a fraction of the lifetime cost of care for diabetes, kidney failure and chronic heart disease, the common complications of morbid obesity. The "Obesity in Arizona" report details the high cost to hospitals that provide general medical care for men and women with diseases associated with obesity. In 2005, the gross charges for all inpatients with a mention of morbid obesity in their diagnosis exceeded $320 million. More surgeries are expected as the number of clinically obese adults (at least 100 pounds over what doctors consider an ideal weight for a person's height) continues to rise. That number in Arizona is up 31.5 percent from 2000 to 2005 - from an estimated 644,333 adults to 847,266 - according to Brian Bender, survey center manager for the Arizona Department of Health Services. As more Arizonans become obese, the death rate rises as well. A total of 262 Feeds,South Arizona News,Articles,Stories");sQ1[65]=new Array("http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_4968922","DailyBulletin.com - Low-carb diet suspected for drop in folate levels of young women","","to try flight test againCrash resurrects airport `buffer zone' talkSoto soon to return after illnessMan hurt by load of cast-iron pipesDevelopers' proposed project riles some residentsFormer postmaster, leader in Cucamonga, dies at 91Rock the Bells venue changedLoza pleads not guilty to murderArrest made in assault case Copyright Notice | Privacy Policy | Information For more local Southern California news: Select a newspaper... 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width="478" border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2"> <tr> <td class="colorone"> <div align="center" class="highlighttext">Monday, January 08, 2007</div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="section">News</p> <div align="left">Obesity rates increasing in county, state <p align="left">By Bryan Clapper/Austin Daily Herald</p> </div> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="right"> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> <td align="center"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" width="208"> <tr> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td width=""> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"> </td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><img src="/art/spacer.gif" width="10"></td> <td align="center"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td> <div align="center"><script type="text/javascript" src="/shared-content/adsys/creative.js"></script><script type="text/javascript"> <!-- document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript" src="http://adsys.townnews.com/global/capped.js"></scr' + 'ipt>'); aCampaigns = new Array(); aCampaigns[421] = 100; aAds = new Array(); nAdsysTime = new Date().getTime()/1000; if ((nAdsysTime >= 1166076000) && (nAdsysTime <= 1481781599)) { aAd = new Array('news+middle', '66405', 'js'); aAd[7] = 10; aAd[8] = 0; aAd[9] = 421; aAd[10] = 0; aAd[11] = 0; aAds[aAds.length] = aAd; } adsys_displayAd('http://adsys.townnews.com', 'austindailyherald.com', aAds, aCampaigns); // --> </script></div> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <p align="left">Nationwide and across Minnesota, waistlines are expanding, and the problem of overweight and obese adults and children is growing within Mower County, as well.<BR /><BR />People with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or higher are classified as “overweight” in national standards, and a BMI of 30 or more is considered obese. <p align="left">“If you look at just the overweight factors — BMI of 25 plus — in Mower County, our estimated percentage of people who are overweight is 59.9 percent of adults,” Margene Gunderson, director of Community Health Services in Mower County, said. “That is equal to the average in Minnesota. There are some counties whose overweight percentages are higher, and some that are lower. We are about average as far as the state goes.”<BR /><BR />In Minnesota, nearly 17 percent of adults qualify as obese, and the numbers in both categories are growing.<BR /><BR />“It is a national problem,” Gunderson said.<BR /><BR />Unfortunately, the growing problem isn’t just confined to adults. The proportion of overweight and obese children, especially, is increasing exponentially.<BR /><BR />“From 1995 to 2004, there was a 41 percent increase in the number of children who were categorized as overweight,” said Wendy Hanson, statewide obesity prevention coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Health. Hansons said the health department’s primary focus in obesity prevention has been on children, becaus");sQ1[68]=new Array("http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=5906054&nav=3w6r","14 WFIE, The Tri-State's News Leader: Girls Most Likely to Gain Weight as Pre-Teens","","ListingsHoroscopesAriesTaurusGeminiCancerLeoVirgoLibraScorpioSagittariusCapricornAquariusPiscesTri-State Lottery Results14wfie.com WebcamsJudy Lyden, Child DevelopmentThe Roughest Part of Day Care...Expert CommentaryThe Key to Learning is Play...Expert CommentaryExpert Commentary: Tips for Getting Your Child to EatEarly Childhood Development ExplainedThe 2nd Year of Life...Expert CommentaryThree Year Olds...Expert Commentary4 Year Olds....Expert CommentaryPre-School or Day Care? Expert CommentaryPre-School Questions...Expert AdviceCommentary: HyperactivityCommentary: The Myths of HyperactivityExpert Commentary: Is Your Child Hyperactive? 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And the health consequences of being overweight can be evident in girls as young as 9, all of which points to the need to tailor prevention efforts to ever younger ages. "We really need to get to kids before age 9 and 10, and this really puts the pressure on elementary school, preschoolsite, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.");sQ1[69]=new Array("http://www.click2houston.com/health/10678994/detail.html","Diets, Obesity Get Blame For Lower Folate Levels - Health News Story - KPRC Houston","Diets, Obesity Get Blame For Lower Folate Levels","FBTexas Southern MBBTicketsPolitics+Entertainment@ The MoviesColumnistsContestsQuizzesTop 10 VideosBooksE-CardsGamesHoroscopesLive TheaterMusicTicketsSoap Games+HealthbeatDiet And FitnessHealth FeaturesHealth Centers+TechnologyGamesIT Hiring+MoneyAuto FinanceBank RatesCredit ReportsFind A LenderInsuranceInvesting 101Mortgage QuotesPersonal FinancePost A JobSmall BusinessCredit InformationLoan Center+Your Education StationCollege LoansCollege ScholarshipsDistance EducationVideoJefferson AwardsCommunity EventsMarketplaceThe BuzzNew YouHeart HealthyLocal 2 Experts!+AutomotiveFind Your CarSell Your CarTrade In AppraisalAuto FinanceCredit ReportsInsuranceDatingTravel+CareerCollege LoansCollege ScholarshipsDistance EducationFind A JobPost A JobPost A ResumeLegal Center+DealsComparison ShopCouponsGamesMusicWeddingsExtrasClick2WinPets+2 At HomeDecoratingHome ImprovementLandscapingBanking RatesFind A ContractorCredit ReportInsurance CenterLegal InfoLoan CenterMortgage QuotesMoving CenterReal Estate+Real Estate & MortgageDecoratingHome ImprovementLandscapingBanking RatesFind A ContractorCredit ReportInsurance CenterLegal InfoLoan CenterMortgage QuotesMoving CenterReal EstateFood+FamilyPet ExpertsBank RatesInsuranceLegal InfoMoving CenterSite ToolsSet HomepageKPRC 2 MobileE-Mail NewslettersGet RSSDesktop AlertsPremium WeatherYellow PagesKPRC Local 2Inside KPRCContact UsKPRC News TeamKPRC EditorialsTV ListingsNBCDr. PhilEllenRachael RayAdvertiseMedia Partners Homepage > Health Article Not AvailableThe article that you are trying to view is no longer available through this Web site. The content is copyrighted by the Associated Press, which requires Click2Houston.com to delete its stories two weeks after they are originally posted. Links We Like Interview Fashion Tips For Men Believe it or not, a man can lose out on a job opportunity because of his appearance, just as a woman can. Find out what not to wear. More Getting Ready To Move? Find out what you need to do with a handy moving day checklist! More Why SUVs Roll Find out why SUVs may be prone to roll and keep yours safely on all four tires. More Thinking Of Getting A Time Share? Find out if it's a sound investment or a quick way to throw your money away. More Like video? Click over and check out our new video page we call Now See This. Links We Like includes a selection of information, tools and resources from our partners and sponsors. Sponsored Links Health Centers Find health news and information important to you and your family. Choose from our menu of topics: « Select » Women's Health Men's Health Children's Health Mental Health Diet And Fitness Heart Health Cholesterol Breas:");sQ1[70]=new Array("http://www.kvue.com/news/state/stories/070105kvueborderfatkids-cb.fc79df3.html","News for Austin, Texas | kvue.com | State News","KVUE.com is the official website for KVUE-TV, Austin's News Station for news, weather, sports and video.","Homes Buy/Sell Contests 411 Advertising RSS Feeds Get News on Your Mobile Device Sign Up for our Email Newsletters Get News on Your Mobile Device Sign up for Special Offers State News Find a Car Find a Dealer ServiceCenter Sell a car Find a boat List a boat Buying Browse Our Classifieds Sell Your Stuff Shop by Keyword: Sign up for Special Offers Click here for a chance to win tickets to Schlitterbahn Enter name or type of business Enter city & state, or zip code Obesity targeting children along Texas border 06:11 PM CST on Friday, January 5, 2007 From Angela Kocherga / KHOU-TV Click to watch video Many of us worry about extra weight after the holidays, but research shows we should also be concerned about our children packing on unhealthy pounds. In fact, a national study that included Austin and San Antonio found Hispanic children are especially at high risk for obesity. Along the border the problem has reached a critical stage. KHOU - TV Children in El Paso take part in Kid Fit program to learn about proper nutrition. But one group is doing it’s part to reverse the alarming trend. They’re teaching that portion size and exercise are both keys to a healthy weight. “Even at that young age we need to really start watching our kids weight,” said Ann Pauli with the Paso del Norte Health Foundation. In El Paso the Kid Fit program was created a few years ago in response to an alarming childhood obesity rate on the border. A new study of low income children in several U.S. cities from birth to 3-years-old confirms that Hispanic children are twice as likely to be obese as Anglo or African American kids. That’s something border residents already knew. So now experts hope that education will help take a bite out of that statistic. They say education is critical. Every child attending the health program will get a copy of the healthy snacks they learn to make. And El Paso’s effort is paying off. The childhood obesity rate is now declining. The Kid Fit program targets children but there’s the hope it will help entire families that the children will serve as little agents of change influencing their parents and their brothers and sisters to make healthy choices. “Usually I tell them to go and play outside so they could have some more energy and stop eating junk food,” said Pauli. They are lessons that can save lives. Childhood obesity is to blame for several health problems including type 2 diabetes which is a growing problem in elementary school children. It’s a disease that used to be called adult-onset diabetes. 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Most popular KVUE.com stories Updated Thu 6.7.07 Mom, 20, giving birth to third set of twins Body found in barrel in Lake Buchanan identified Officer kills fleeing suspect Driver sought in deadly hit and run crash Dell to cut jobs, stock rises More popular KVUE.com stories Most E-mailed News Are you actually getting a 'free' credit report? Mom, 20, giving birth to third set of twins Tankless water heaters boast efficiency, save money Exercising after a meal 'boosts weight loss' FTC seeks to block Whole Foods merger More E-mailed news Print this story Add RSS Feeds Email this story Home | Advertise with Us | About Us | Media Kit | Careers | Site Map | Contact Us Help | Terms of Service | Privacy | Special Offers KVUE.com - Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Award winner for Best TV Web Site, 2007 KVUE.com - Edward R. Murrow Award winner for Best TV Web Site, Region 6, 2007 © 2007 KVUE Television, Inc. 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The study led by researchers at the Medical Research Council's Epidemiology Unit in Cambridge covered about 2,000 children from different areas in Europe. Scientists led by Dr Ulf Ekelund found that once physical activity and a multitude of socio-economic factors had been taken into account, the link between television viewing and metabolic risk factors was no longer significant. Their findings are published in PLOS Medicine. Rather the study found that it was the children's physical activity levels, measured over four days with the help of a specially designed movement measuring device, that were related to a number of other risk factors such as blood pressure, sugar, insulin and fat levels in the blood which are all indicators of increased likelihood of diabetes and heart disease later in life. TV viewing had previously been linked to obesity. However this study, which forms part of the European Youth Heart Study, is the first to use such a large sample population and hence is the first to be able to test against a number of other possible influences on children's weight and heart disease risk factors. Dr Ulf Ekelund said: "We have now shown that physical activity in childhood is linked with risk factors which may increase the risk of developing heart disease later in life. While spending excessive time watching television is not beneficial, it is really the amount of time children spend playing outdoors and engaging in athletic activity which will have the strongest impact on their health. This is the best insurance policy available against heart disease." TV viewing and physical activity are independently associated with metabolic risk in children: the European Youth Heart Study, U. Ekelund et al. is published in PLOS Medicine. 2. Dr Ulf Ekelund is based at the MRC Epidemiology Unit in Cambridge. 3. The Medical Research Council is dedicated to improving human health through excellent science. It invests on behalf of the UK taxpayer. Its work ranges from molecular level science to public health research, carried out in universities, hospitals and a network of its own units and institutes. The MRC liaises with the Health Departments, the National Health Service and industry to take account of the public's needs. The results have led to some of the most significant discoveries in med");sQ1[72]=new Array("http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=14766","Ivanhoe's Medical Breakthroughs - Obesity Increases Odds of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome","Advances in health and medicine.","associated with sleep apnea, as well as a risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Researchers at the Universitario Ramon y Cajal in Madrid, Spain, evaluated 113 premenopausal women who visited a weight loss treatment center over the course of three consecutive years. Of the 113 women, 32 -- 28.3 percent -- were diagnosed with polycystic syndrome, compared to 5.5 percent among lean women. Women were diagnosed with PCOS based on whether their ovaries were releasing eggs regularly, levels of androgen in their blood, and whether or not other diagnoses could be ruled out. Women in the study with the syndrome tended to be younger and were more likely to have insulin resistance. The researchers say that although more than half of patients with POS are obese, the prevalence of the condition in overweight and obese women in unknown. They conclude by saying that PCOS must be routinely ruled out in overweight and obese premenopausal women seeking advice for weight loss. This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/. SOURCE: The Archives of Internal Medicine, 2006; 166:2081-2086 Related Articles in Archives: Acupuncture for PCOS -- Full-Length Doctor's Interview Diabetes Drug May Prevent Miscarriage Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Dairy Products May Help Overweight Adults Promising Infertility Drug Falls Short High Fat, No-Starch Diet Studied Adolescent Girls With PCOS [ Back to Women's Health Channel Home ] MEDICAL ALERT! Don't you want to be notified by e-mail every time there is a breakthrough on Women's Health? This is the only Web site that will do this for you. Click here to sign up. BOOKSTORE Visit our bookstore for the Editor's picks on Women's Health-related books. [ click here ] EDITOR'S CHOICE Value of Mammography Supplement Doesn’t Help Hot Flashes Overcoming Chronic Fatigue -- Full-Length Doctor's Interview How to Find a Qualified Mammography Provider For the nearest FDA-certified mammography provider, or to check the status of your imaging center, call the NCI's CIS at (800) 4-CANCER. Home | What's New | News Flash | Search/Archives | E-Mail Medical Alerts! Ivanhoe FAQ | Privacy Policy | Our TV Partners | Awards | Useful Links | Play It Again, Please RSS Feeds | Advertising/Sponsorships | Co");sQ1[73]=new Array("http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/story?id=1213789&page=1","ABC News: Myth: Hospitals Keep You Safe from Germs","Myth: Hospitals Keep You Safe from Germs","probably keeping it a secret. Maureen Daly's mother was a healthy 63-year-old woman when she had surgery to fix a broken shoulder. However, after being admitted to the hospital, Daly's mother got an infection that left her immobilized on a respirator. Daly was told that life-threatening germs are an inevitable fact of hospital life. Related Stories Q&A: Hospital Infection Rates Rarely Disclosed Despite Thousands of Deaths Myth: Airplane Air Makes You Sick Myth: Flu Shots Keep the Flu Away Myth: The Kitchen Is the Cleanest Room in the House What's 100 Times Dirtier Than a Toilet Seat? Myth: It's Safe to Share Your Makeup Myth: Toilet Seats Are the Dirtiest Thing in the Bathroom Myth: Dogs Have Cleaner Mouths Than Humans Myth: Mouthwashes Eliminate Bad Breath Is Antibacterial Soap All Washed Up? Daly was shocked. "I cannot accept that it would be a fact of life that you can walk into a hospital with a broken shoulder and leave practically dead," she said. Her mother died four months later. Betsy McCaughey, former lieutenant governor of New York and founder of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths, said, "These infections kill as many people each year in our country as AIDS, breast cancer and auto accidents combined." McCaughey said it's secrecy that's allowed the problem to grow. "Most states have not required hospitals to report their infections, or provide that information to the public," she said. Pennsylvania is one of only six states that has passed a law requiring the reporting of infections. Experts say public disclosure forces hospitals to reduce infection rates. Dr. Rick Shannon, chief of medicine at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, looked at the data on patients in the hospital's intensive care units. He was stunned. "Fifty-one percent of everyone who got these infections died. Half the people who got one died," he said. Dr. Shannon wasted no time. He gave an order to the ICU staff. Reduce hospital infections to zero -- in just 90 days. Staff nurses said they didn't think it could be done. But after just one week, the ICU staff identified the culprit. It wasn't a superbug -- it was the staff. And the fact they each had their own way of washing hands, changing dressings, and putting in catheters. "No one actually knew what the right way to do it was. And not knowing what the right way to do it was that all these little errors could creep in that would lead to infection," Dr. Shannon said. Myth: Hospitals Keep You Safe from Germs 12Next Comment on This Story WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING Add to the facts. Tell us what you know. Currently there is no ballot question for this story. Do you have an idea for something to ask? Send it in here! Discuss this topic with the ABC News Community Read All Talk Back to John Stossel Join Discussions on '20/20' Stories Watch All Citizen Journalists: Click Here To Ask The Newsmakers Questions Check out the video discussion going on now Feedback| Wireless| E-mails & News ");sQ1[74]=new Array("http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061011/LIFESTYLE/610110310","The Leaf Chronicle - www.theleafchronicle.com - Clarksville, TN","Local news, obituaries, sports, opinion, classifieds, cars.com, and community information from the The Leaf-Chronicle of Clarksville, Tennessee","Welcome to The Leaf Chronicle Clarksville, TN Customer Service:  Subscribe Now | Place an Ad | Contact Us | Make us your Homepage   theleafchronicle.com  Weather  Jobs  Cars  Homes  Apartments  Shopping  Classifieds  Dating Search Clarksville: All Recent News Yellow Pages Classifieds Cars Jobs Shopping Local Web Info Thursday, June 7, 2007    Home  News   Local News   Local Sports   Community   Archives   Blogs   Business   Columnists   Go - Entertainment   Living   Nation/World   Obituaries   Opinion   StoryChat   Photo Galleries   User-Submitted   Photo Galleries   Public Notices   State News   Technology   Travel   Weather  RSS Feeds  About Clarksville  Customer Service ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Error: Invalid story key (DA,20061011,LIFESTYLE,610110310,AR). Error: Invalid story key (DA,20061011,LIFESTYLE,610110310,AR). Error: Invalid story key (DA,20061011,LIFESTYLE,610110310,AR). Error: Invalid story key (DA,20061011,LIFESTYLE,610110310,AR).       Contact Us | Subscribe | Place an ad Copyright ©2007 The Leaf Chronicle. All rights reserved. Users of this site agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights (Terms updated March 2007)    Keywords: The Leaf-Chronicle, theleafchronicle.com, clarksville, Fort Campbell, Montgomery County, USA Today Careers Network, cars.com, apartments.com, Classifieds, Jobs, Gannett Co. Inc.");sQ1[75]=new Array("http://newsblaze.com/story/20061013162952nnnn.nb/newsblaze/NEWSWIRE/NewsBlaze-Wire.html","Calorie In Alcohol - Liquid Calories Count, Even If They Don't Register","When researchers go looking for trends that might explain the nation's obesity epidemic, most agree on at least one thing: Americans have a drinking problem. Calorie in alcohol is something we all need to watch.","recognize it as the cue to stop eating. This is particularly so if you're slowly sipping, but research shows that it holds true even if you slam a tall, cold one, and in Southwest Florida, who hasn't done that? But that sudden temporary bloat you'll feel is no substitute for satiety. Now consider that point together with another key part of the problem: portion sizes for food servings are ballooning out of control, and drinks are the worst of it. Pick any given bottled beverage, one of those fancy coffees or teas, a fruit drink, soda or sport cooler. Then check the nutritional label, first for calories and then for number of servings. Most contain two or more servings, but how many of us are really sharing that Snapple with a buddy? And dietary research at Penn State showed that even among consumers who did check nutritional labels for calories, they just didn't take the extra step and multiply for the extra servings, to get an accurate total calorie count. Fountain drinks are even more troublesome than bottled beverages. Ounce for ounce, those big fountain drinks are a better deal, so we're buying more and drinking more! A 32 ounce, convenience-store fountain beverage costs, on average, about 69 cents. It sounds like a real deal, but keep in mind that a typical adult should consume from 2,000 to 2,500 calories a day. If you put regular sweetened soda in that vat, you'll add about 300 calories to your daily intake, get no nutritional benefit whatsoever, and not even alleviate your hunger! That's no bargain, no matter how big the gulp. Maybe you're one of those sippers or gulpers who've made the switch to a "healthier" fruit drink or sport beverage. Don't assume you're coming out much ahead of those who are sucking up the soda pop. A lot of commercially produced fruit juice drinks don't actually contain much juice. They're mostly high fructose corn syrup, water and fruit flavorings. The nutrients, if any, have usually been added after the fact to make the product more appealing to those consumers who do investigate the nutritional data. Take Hi-C, that perennial kid favorite. It's "fortified" with extra vitamin C, but it contains only 10 percent fruit juice, a fact that is emblazoned proudly across the label. Sunny Delight would have us believe that "citrus beverage" is a healthy drink choice, and it's heavily marketed as a smart alternative to soda. Don't believe the hype. Sunny D is mainly corn sweeteners, water and fruit flavorings, and it's a poor source of nutrients relative to caloric content. Researchers also find that when we drink our calories, as opposed to consuming them in food, we just fail to recognize that we're taking in calories at all! When we load on extra calories by having a treat or eating too much at a meal, most of us will compensate by cutting back on something else, so as to try to consume roughly the same amount of calories overall. Not so with drinks. Study after study shows that it's as if people think calories don't count if they come in a fluid form. People often sip drinks all throughout the day, but seldom displace any food intake to allow for it. The 300 calories in that large cola just get added on to the bottom libsp;");sQ1[76]=new Array("http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060927/LIFESTYLE03/609270386/1040","Detnews.com | This article is no longer available online","","& Garden Equipment & Supplies Lawn Maintenance Services Nurseries & Garden Centers Ornamental Nursery Services Plants, Trees, Flowers & Seeds Sod & Sodding Service Click here to add your business Local News Sports Autos Insider Entertainment Weblogs Forums Photos Search Detroit: All Recent News Business Directories Classifieds Cars Jobs Shopping Essentials Homepage 1-week archive: Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Today Photo Galleries Photo Store Multimedia Weather Horoscope Lottery Crossword Sudoku Contact Us Opinions Editorials Blogs Columnists CyberSurveys Forums Autos Autos Insider Auto Shows Autos Weblog Drive -- New Car Photos -- Car Reviews -- Latest Deals -- Model Reports Joyrides Dream Cruise Business Business Money & Life Careers -- Find a Job Real Estate -- Find a Home Metro Metro/State Wayne Oakland Macomb Livingston Commuting Obituaries -- Death Notices Schools Detroit History Nation/World Nation/World Politics/Gov -- Election Health Religion Technology Sports Lions/NFL Pistons/NBA Red Wings/NHL Tigers/MLB Shock/WNBA MSU U-M More Colleges High Schools Golf Motor Sports Outdoors More Sports Scoreboards Entertainment Entertainment Events -- Events Calendar Movies/TV/DVD -- Movie Finder -- TV Listings Eats & Drinks -- Restaurants -- Wine Report Books CD Reviews Casino Guide Michigan's Best Living MichMoms Lifestyle Homestyle Fitness Forums News Talk Faith Talk Autos Talk Mom Talk Schools Talk Wings Talk Lions Talk Pistons Talk Tigers Talk Big 10 Talk High Schools Movie Talk Tech Talk Weblogs Blog Index Amber Arellano's Blog Anime Blog Architecture Blog Autos Blog Big Ten Blog Bizarro News Bullard's Pundit Blog Crafts Blog Daniel Howes Blog Entertainment Blog Fashion & Shopping Food Blog Golf Blog Health Blog Henry Payne's Blog High School Sports Homestyle Blog Laura Berman Blog Lions/NFL Blog Mears Photoblog Moms Blog Motor Sports Blog Music Blog NASCAR/Racing Blog Neal Rubin Blog Nolan Finley Blog Photo Blog Pistons/NBA Blog Politics Blog Scott Burgess: Autos Sports Blog Sports & Celebs Sports Buzz Technology Blog Terry Foster Sports Tigers Blog Tom Long Movies Travel Blog TV Blog Wings/NHL Blog RSS Feeds Error: Invalid story key (C3,20060927,LIFESTYLE03,609270386,AR). This article is no longer available online for free ");sQ1[77]=new Array("http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=56792","Heavy Toll Of Obesity On Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality Of Life","Reducing obesity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis may improve quality of life according to researchers who found that obesity was independently associated with impaired quality of life in RA ","Cardiovascular / Cardiology Caregivers / Homecare Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine Cholesterol CJD / vCJD / Mad Cow Disease Cleft Palate Clinical Trials / Drug Trials Colorectal Cancer Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine Compliance Conferences Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery Crohn's Cystic Fibrosis Dentistry Depression Dermatology Diabetes Dyslexia Ear, Nose and Throat Eating Disorders Endocrinology Epilepsy Erectile Dysfunction / Premature Ejaculation Eye Health / Ophthalmology Fertility Flu / Cold / SARS GastroIntestinal / Gastroentorology Genetics Gout Headache / Migraine Health Insurance / Medical Insurance Hearing / Deafness HIV / AIDS Huntingtons Disease Hypertension Immune System / Vaccines Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses Irritable-Bowel Syndrome IT / Internet / E-mail Liver Disease / Hepatitis Lung Cancer Lupus Lymphoma / Leukemia Medical Devices Medical Malpractice / Litigation Medical Students Medicare / Medicaid / Tricare Men's health Mental Health MRI / PET / Ultrasound MRSA / Drug Resistance Multiple Sclerosis Muscular Dystrophy / ALS Neurology / Neuroscience Nursing / Midwifery Nutrition / Diet Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness Pain / Anesthetics Parkinson's Disease Pediatrics / Children's Health Pharma / Biotech Industry Pharmacy / Pharmacists Pregnancy Primary Care / General Practice Prostate / Prostate Cancer Psychology / Psychiatry Public Health Radiology / Nuclear Medicine Rehabilitation Respiratory / Asthma Schizophrenia Seniors / Aging Sexual Health / STDs Sleep / Sleep Disorders Smoking / Quit Smoking Sports Medicine / Fitness Statins Stem Cell Research Stroke / Neuroprotection Transplants / Organ Donations Tropical Diseases Urology / Nephrology Veterinary Water - Air Quality / Agriculture Women's Health / OBGYN view all news categories Navigation Links Home About Us Advertising News Archive Search RSS/XML News Feeds Free Website Feeds Free Tools & Content Medical Jobs Weekly Newsletters Tell a Friend Links Accessibility");sQ1[78]=new Array("http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=56483","Overweight And Obesity Linked To Increased Short-Term Disability","Workers with above-normal body weight have increased rates of short-term disability, reports a study in the November Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the","episode of short-term disability during the three-year study period. Short-term disability rates increased from 7.3 percent for normal-weight workers (a BMI 18.5 to 24.9), to 8.8 percent for workers in the overweight category (a BMI 25 to 29.9), to 14.9 percent for those in the obese category (a BMI 30 and over). The relationship between increased body weight and short-term disability remained significant after adjustment for other risk factors. In this adjusted analysis, overweight workers had a 26 percent increase in short-term disability rate, while obese workers had a 76 percent increase. Nearly one-third of absences due to short-term disability were related to musculoskeletal conditions (such as arthritis or low back pain) or mental health conditions (such as depression). Both categories of illness have previously been linked to overweight and obesity. Women had a higher rate of short-term disability than men: 11.6 versus 3.9 percent. (Nearly three-fourths of the employees in the study were women.) Rates also tended to be higher for non-exempt employees, African-American and Hispanic employees, and workers with from the staff and lower-level officer ranks. Previous studies have linked obesity to increased health costs, increased absenteeism, and reduced productivity. As the U.S. obesity rate continues to increase, disability rates are expected to rise as well. This new study is one of the first to look at how overweight and obesity affect the risk of short-term disability, particularly in a large population of white collar workers. Body mass index in the overweight and obese range is a true risk factor for lost work productivity related to short-term disability, the results suggest. Dr. Arena and colleagues believe that companies should consider programs designed to promote healthier body weight among their employees. They conclude, "Successful weight management initiatives should reduce short-term disability expenditures, improve worker productivity, and lessen the indirect costs associated with overweight and obesity." ACOEM, an international society of more than 5,000 occupational physicians and other health care professionals, provides leadership to promote optimal health and safety of workers, workplaces, and environments. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 530 Walnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19106 United States http://www.lww.com < back to top - View the latest Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News. - Back to latest medical news headlines. - Get medical news headlines weekly with our e-mail newsletter. - Huge database of hospitals world wide . Contact Our Medical News Editors For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form. Please send any medical news or health news press releases to: Back to top Back to front page List of All Medical Articles Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions © 2007 MediLexicon International Ltd Web design by Alastair Hazell from Bexhill, UK News Categories Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness Abortion Acid Reflux / GERD ADHD Aid / Disasters Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs Allergy Alzheimer's / Dementia Anxiety / Stress Arthritis Autism Bio-terrorism / Terrorism Biology / Biochemistry Bipolar Bird Flu / Avian Flu Blood / Hematology Body Aches Bones / Orthopaedics Breast Cancer Cancer / Oncology Cardiovascular / Cardiology Caregivers / Homecare Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine Cholesterol CJD / vCJD / Mad Cow Disease Cleft Palate Clinical Trials / Drug Trials Colorectal Cancer Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine Compliance Conferences Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery Crohn's Cystic Fibrosis Dentistry Depression Dermatology Diabetes Dyslexia Ear, Nose and Throat Eating Disorders Endocrinology Epilepsy Erectile Dysfunction / Premature Ejaculation Eye Health / Ophthalmology Fertility Flu / Cold / SARS GastroIntestinal / Gastroentorology Genetics Gout Headache / Migraine Health Insurance / Medical Insurance Hearing / Deafness HIV / AIDS Huntingtons Disease Hypertension Immune System / Vaccines Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses Irritable-Bowel Syndrome IT / Internet / E-mail Liver Disease / Hepatitis Lung Cancer Lupus Lymphoma / Leukemia Medical Devices Medical Malpractice / Litigation Medical Students Medicare / Medicaid / Tricare Men's health Mental Health MRI / PET / Ultrasound MRSA / Drug Resistance Multiple Sclerosis Muscular Dystrophy / ALS Neurology / Neuroscience Nursing / Midwifery Nutrition / Diet Obesity / W");sQ1[79]=new Array("http://www.49abcnews.com/news/2006/nov/07/bariatric_surgery_may_be_option_treatment_obesity/","Bariatric surgery may be an option for treatment of obesity - 49abcnews.com","","done through minimally invasive incisions, and requiring around two days in the hospital. The second procedure is called a lap band, in which a plastic band is placed around the top portion of the stomach in an out-patient operation. Both procedures have been very successful, with a 60 to 80 percent weight loss reported by patients. Dr. Hamilton has personal knowledge of bariatric procedures in that he had struggled with his weight all of his life. He had surgery eight months ago and he has lost 90 pounds. He says it has changed his life and he has no regrets. The ideal candidate for a bariatric procedure is someone whose BMI is 35 or more, is diabetic or hypertensive, has sleep apnea, or other weight-related disorder that will shorten their life, or someone whose BMI is 40 or more and who is 100 to 150 pounds overweight. Post a comment (Requires free registration.) Username: Password: (Forgotten your password?) Comment: Advertisement E-mail alerts Blogs Podcasts RSS feeds Keep an eye on Topeka's weather with the 49 ABC News Sky Cam. On the air Coming up on 49 News -- The doctor is in the house, and he's talking about safe places to go online for health information. Tune in at 11 to hear what Dr. Thompson has to say about the dangers and benefits of health Web sites. And, the Topeka and Shawnee County Library has a new vehicle for its senior members. How one community is represented on this new vehicle. Online -- The Topeka Disaster Recovery Center opens Thursday at the Ramada Tower downtown. Learn what you need to do before you go here. Online chats There are no scheduled chats. See past chat transcripts » 49 ABC and Taco Bell present the Summer of Fun You can win food prizes from Taco Bell or the grand prize of four tickets to Worlds of Fun and gasoline for your trip. Register at any participating Taco Bell location or mail your entry to 49 ABC. A complete listing of the rules (.pdf) is posted here or just click on the image. Good luck and let’s all have a Summer of Fun and food courtesy of 49 ABC and Taco Bell. Memory Walk and 5K Run Join 49 ABC and Alzheimer’s Association for the Memory Walk and 5k Run June 9 at Hummer Sports Park. The run begins at 7:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. All funds raised support local programs and services of the Heart of America Chapter and assist people with the disease and their families. For more information click on the image above. 49 Sports Challenge The 49 Sports Challenge kicks off today. Click on the image to challenge 49 Sports Director Nick Griffith, who participates in various athletic events around the community. Learn more here. Your Heroes Salute Your Hero 49 News wants to share your stories of military service. Submit a Your Hero story. If you have served in the military or know someone who has, submit your story to 49 News for broadcast on 49 News and publication online. Go. See Your Heroes photo gallery here. The Cutting Edge 49 News' sends our Storm Tracker out into the elements to help protect you and your family. Click the photo to see all reports about and from the 49 Storm Tracker or log on to www.49abcnews.com/stormtracker. Events calendar Previous month | Next month Meet the Manager, Today at 5:30 p.m. » Heroes and Villains of a Devoted Youth, Today at 8 p.m. — Pop-Culture Art ");sQ1[80]=new Array("http://www.upi.com/ConsumerHealthDaily/view.php?StoryID=20061106-114911-4043r","United Press International - Consumer Health Daily","","2007 at 1:00 PMBy LIDIA WASOWICZ UPI Senior Science Writer Avoiding the sting of allergies to insect bites; boosting mood with marriage, and managing hearing health. ..continue to more stories Obesity linked to disadvantaged communities Published: Nov. 6, 2006 at 11:31 AM E-mail Story | Print Preview | License BALTIMORE, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Older adults living in disadvantaged U.S. urban neighborhoods have an increased risk of obesity, found researchers at Johns Hopkins University. "There is almost a twofold higher chance that you're going to be obese if you live in the worst neighborhoods," said epidemiologist and lead author Thomas Glass of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. "Moreover, the risk is not something that can be explained away by personal variables such as dietary intake, tobacco use and household wealth." The authors said the findings may be due to fear caused by living in areas characterized by crime, disorder and neglect. The researchers found that while the overall obesity level for adults ages 50 to 70 was 38 percent, it ranged from a low of 27 percent in the least hazardous neighborhoods to a high of 53 percent in the most hazardous neighborhoods. The findings were published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Del.icio.us | Digg it | RSS © Copyright 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. United Press International, UPI, the UPI logo, and other trademarks and service marks, are registered or unregistered trademarks of United Press International, Inc. in the United States and in other countries. Post A Comment Your Name Your Email Address Comments Security Code Latest Stories Most Popular Popular Videos Cyclone hits Iran Report: Iran helping Taliban New genetic disease associations found Caribbean frogs came from single species Ford scores well in major quality survey Crude oil prices climb above $66 a barrel 'Ocean's 13' stars enshrined in cement Hoffman, Thompson chance reunion in film MLB: San Diego 5, Los Angeles 2 MLB: Colorado 8, Houston 7 British parents apparently love Muhammad Watercooler Stories Police find body in Kansas kidnapping Lightning silences Giuliani Henin, Sharapova look to protect top seeds Arrest made in Kansas teen's slaying Gates visits Normandy on D-Day anniversary Scientists: Stem cells can make blind see Pope's guards stop man from boarding jeep Oil rises near $66 as cyclone hits Iran Excited families cost teens their diplomas Backlash returns Brownberry bread U.S. House passes rival ethics measures London 2012 Olympic logo ridiculed GOP debaters fire at Bush's war handling Dems. go head-to-head over Iraq war Man with TB allowed to cross border "Borat" star to be a dad Fighting escalates in Lebanon Paris Hilton checks into jail Jessica Simpson and John Mayer split Bush asks for cooperation on missile defense plan Bush calls for stricter sanctions against Sudan Fliers potentially exposed to TB UPI Weekly White House Wrap-up UPI Weekly White House Wrap-up Your Th");sQ1[81]=new Array("http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou061102_ac_fattyheart.f218a72.html","LOCAL NEWS | KHOU.com | News for Houston, Texas","","About/Contact Channel 11 Mobile 11 News On The Go News Team Program Schedule Community Jobs Advertise Contact Us Blogs Weird World Reality Check Animal Attraction Teen Talk Crime Watch 11 Sports Traffic Cars.com Marketcenter HealthyLife Center Advertising RSS Feeds Get News on Your Mobile Device Sign Up for our Email Newsletters Sign up for Special Offers LOCAL NEWS Used cars | Shopping advicesSell a car | Find a dealer NewCars: Make Acura Am General Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Buick Cadillac Chevrolet Chrysler Daewoo DeTomaso Dodge Ferrari Ford GMC Honda Hyundai Infiniti Isuzu Jaguar Jeep Kia Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lotus Mazda Mercedes Mercury Mitsubishi Nissan Oldsmobile Panoz Plymouth Pontiac Porsche Qvale Rolls-Royce Saab Saturn Subaru Suzuki Toyota Volkswagen Volvo Free Classifieds Buy | Sell Yellow Pages Find info on Houston businesses in our Yellow pages. HomeCenter Buy Existing Apartments Cosmetic Dentistry Neck/Back Pain Fatty heart is reversible with weight loss 06:40 PM CST on Thursday, November 2, 2006 By Janice Williamson / 11 News Click to watch video Eat too much fat and it clogs up your arteries. KHOU-TV Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center have determined fat can kill the heart. But did you know the more weight you put on your hips the more fat that goes directly to your heart? Kathleen Parker looks like any other mom trying to keep pace with a 5 year old. But 18 months ago it was a very different story. “You get hot very easily when you have that much excess weight,” she said. “You have a lot of foot pain, knee pain, ankle pain.” Before bariatric surgery, “I think I was wearing size 22 or 24 there,” Parker said. A family history of heart disease on her dad’s side weighed in on her decision to get help losing weight. “His father died of a massive heart attack at 40 years old, so I was worried with all the extra weight that could happen to me,” Parker said. Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center have determined fat can kill the heart. “The heart doesn’t know where to put the extra fat and starts to load up the heart muscle cells,” cardiology professor Dr. Heinrich Taegtmeyer said. The red spots you see are fat inside the muscle cells of a heart so filled with fat it can no longer pump properly. The patient now needs a transplant. “If you gain 10 or 15 pounds, your fat cells take care of the extra baggage, but if you gain more than that the fat cells are full,” Dr. Taegtmeyer said. Bariatric patients like Parker are now being studied to determine if a fatty heart is reversible. “Bariatric surgery in general doesn’t make a person whose morbidly obese a normal weight person,” bariatric surgeon Dr. Erik Wilson said. “It makes them less obese.” It could also make them heart healthy again. So far the study shows three months after bariatric surgery, the heart wall is already getting thinner. “We think at nine months there’s going to be better cardiac function the hearts actually going to contract better and squeeze blood better into the body,” Dr. Wilson said. Parker’s body is literally half the size it once was. She hopes her heart is healthier too. Print this story Add RSS Feeds Email this story Advertisement Forums, Photos & More News Your Way: Have the latest news headlines delivered to your favorite RSS reader. Discuss: Debate politics and the news behind the headlines in our discussion forums. Explore the Web: Hear about a Web link on 11 News? Find a link here. Submit Your Pics: Snap a photo of a breaking news? Share it with others. Got a Tip? Have an idea for 11 News Investigates? Contact Jeremy Rogalski or Mark Greenblatt. Compare the Candidates: Learn more about candidates in local elections. More Local News HISD leader proposes 10th consecutive teacher raise Cyclist killed by suspected drunken driver Raccoon to blame for power outage Booming bus business may bring danger to roads Widow charged for changing gas bill from deceased husband's name More... Print this story Add RSS Feeds Email this story Home | Advertise with Us | About Us | Media Kit | Careers | Site Map | Contact Us Help | Terms of Service | Privacy | Special Offers © 2007 KHOU-TV, L.P. News Local News Houston Metro Galveston Co. Fort Bend Co. Montgomery Co. Brazoria Co. Special Report Business Local Business Stocks Autos 11 News Investigates Technology Celebrities Fight Crime! Weird News Education Web Links Politics / Elections Message Boards Health Nutrition Fitness E-mail Alerts Texas Video Nation - World Mexico Rebuilding Iraq Weather Radars Local County-by-County Southeast Texas Regional State Conditions National Regional Temperature Map U.S. Visible Satellite Radar Map Radar");sQ1[82]=new Array("http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/lifestyles/124310,6_5_NA05_WEIGHTLOSS_S1.article","LOCAL NEWS | KHOU.com | News for Houston, Texas","","disease on her dad’s side weighed in on her decision to get help losing weight. “His father died of a massive heart attack at 40 years old, so I was worried with all the extra weight that could happen to me,” Parker said. Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center have determined fat can kill the heart. “The heart doesn’t know where to put the extra fat and starts to load up the heart muscle cells,” cardiology professor Dr. Heinrich Taegtmeyer said. The red spots you see are fat inside the muscle cells of a heart so filled with fat it can no longer pump properly. The patient now needs a transplant. “If you gain 10 or 15 pounds, your fat cells take care of the extra baggage, but if you gain more than that the fat cells are full,” Dr. Taegtmeyer said. Bariatric patients like Parker are now being studied to determine if a fatty heart is reversible. “Bariatric surgery in general doesn’t make a person whose morbidly obese a normal weight person,” bariatric surgeon Dr. Erik Wilson said. “It makes them less obese.” It could also make them heart healthy again. So far the study shows three months after bariatric surgery, the heart wall is already getting thinner. “We think at nine months there’s going to be better cardiac function the hearts actually going to contract better and squeeze blood better into the body,” Dr. Wilson said. Parker’s body is literally half the size it once was. She hopes her heart is healthier too. Print this story Add RSS Feeds Email this story Advertisement Forums, Photos & More News Your Way: Have the latest news headlines delivered to your favorite RSS reader. Discuss: Debate politics and the news behind the headlines in our discussion forums. Explore the Web: Hear about a Web link on 11 News? Find a link here. Submit Your Pics: Snap a photo of a breaking news? Share it with others. Got a Tip? Have an idea for 11 News Investigates? Contact Jeremy Rogalski or Mark Greenblatt. Compare the Candidates: Learn more about candidates in local elections. More Local News HISD leader proposes 10th consecutive teacher raise Cyclist killed by suspected drunken driver Raccoon to blame for power outage Booming bus business may bring danger to roads Widow charged for changing gas bill from deceased husband's name More... Print this story Add RSS Feeds Email this story Home | Advertise with Us | About Us | Media Kit | Careers | Site Map | Contact Us Help | Terms of Service | Privacy | Special Offers © 2007 KHOU-TV, L.P. News Local News Houston Metro Galveston Co. Fort Bend Co. Montgomery Co. Brazoria Co. Special Report Business Local Business Stocks Autos 11 News Investigates Technology Celebrities Fight Crime! Weird News Education Web Links Politics / Elections Message Boards Health Nutrition Fitness E-mail Alerts Texas Video Nation - World Mexico Rebuilding Iraq Weather Radars Local County-by-County Southeast Texas Regional State Conditions National Regional Temperature Map U.S. Visible Satellite Radar Map Radar Mosaic Hurricane Central Tropical Outlook ");sQ1[83]=new Array("http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7005259398","AHN | Study: Obesity Impacts Breast Cancer Survival | June 7, 2007","Study: Obesity Impacts Breast Cancer Survival | June 7, 2007 |AHN is a global news agency and leading provider of real-time news, weather and dynamic content for websites, intranets and interactive properties, publishers and broadcasters, digital signage services, governmental entities and large business enterprises needing dynamic real-time content.","NC (AHN) - A new study compiled by researchers from the University of North Carolina reveals that obesity, particularly excess abdominal fat, can affect breast cancer survival. Describing the results of the study, a researcher says, "These results demonstrate that obesity, particularly abdominal fat, decreases a woman's chance of surviving breast cancer, even if she is premenopausal at the time of diagnosis." The study, involving 1,254 women between 20 to 54 age groups, shows women with a body mass index greater than 30, which indicates obesity, were 48 percent more likely to die during the nine year study period than women of ideal weight, Asia News International reported. Copyright © AHN Media Corp - All rights reserved. Redistribution, republication. syndication, rewriting or broadcast is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AHN. Email This Article Print This Article Digg This Article | Home | Client Login | Submit News | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact | Services | © 2007 by AHN Media Corp. All rights reserved Keywords: All Headline News, AHN, AHN Media, AHN International, news organization, NORG, news agency, news wire, news");sQ1[84]=new Array("http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=29361","The cost of obesity in the US","","Thursday, June 07, 2007, Jamadi-ul-Awal 21, 1428 A.H. Editor-in-Chief: Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman ISSN 1563-9479 HOME | TOP STORIES | WORLD | NATIONAL | CITY NEWS | SPORTS NEWS | BUSINESS NEWS | EDITORIAL | OPINION | STOCK | INSTEP TODAY  WEEKLY SECTIONS   News on Sunday   You   Books & People   Health Body & Mind   City Pulse   Technobytes   Iqra   Galaxy   Tapestry   Education-Zine   Us   Cyber@print   Biz/Finance Rev   Investor's J.   Viewers' Forum   Today's Cartoon   Style  FEATURES   Send Greetings   Jang Community   Fashion Archive   Magazine Archive  FINANCE   Currency Rates   KSE Index   Bullion Rates   Prize Bonds   Forex - Bank   Forex - Open   The cost of obesity in the US BOSTON, Massachusetts: Obesity - which affects one in every three Americans and the illnesses associated with it cost the United States some $90.7 billion a year in health care costs, a University of Pennsylvania researcher said late on Saturday. Among developed countries, the United States has the most obese and overweight people, representing 66 per cent of its overall population. Costs tied to excess pounds account for 5.04 per cent of all US health care costs. The calculations by Professor Adam Gilden Tsai of the University of Pennsylvania, presented at a conference on obesity here on Saturday, are based on a comparison of 30 previous studies on the cost of obesity for the US health care system. An obese person racks up an additional $1,034 in health care costs for doctors’ visits, medications and medical procedures compared with a person of average weight. For someone who is overweight but not yet obese, the medical bills amount to $273 more a year, or 9.3 per cent more than those of an average-weight person. And obese patients over the age of 65 pay an additional $2,511 in medical bills. Obesity often leads to other conditions, such as arthritis, asthma, breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Other studies sought to determine whether gastric bypass surgery and similar procedures were “a good investment for health plans.” Such operations generally cost between 15,000 and $25,000 and are not covered by most health insurance plans, according to Derek Brown of North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park. Although the financial benefits of such procedures are less evident in the short term, Brown said, they are actually more economical over the course of seven years in terms of medical savings.  Back    |    Send this story to Friend    |     Print Version  The News Home  |  Jang Group Online  | Jang Multimedia  |  Jang Searchable  |  Ad Tariff  | Editor Internet  | Webmaster  | Ad Enquiry Keywords: The cost of obesity in the US");sQ1[85]=new Array("http://www.whistlerquestion.com/madison%5CWQuestion.nsf/0/187E84218B208FF4882571FE00648319?OpenDocument","Welcome to the Whistler Question!","Online version of The Whistler Question weekly newspaper. News on everything that's going on in Whistler, BC, along with our entire classified section!","their time. We will eat whatever is in front of us. Our portions are super-sized, but it isn’t so super when you consider we are eating up to four times more than we were 40 years ago. Studies confirm that our perceptions of portion sizes have been massively distorted since serving sizes of foods sold in restaurants and stores have become bigger. We think more is better value, but consider the potential cost of the repercussions — the population of obese people in our province costs approximately $800 million per year, according to recent findings included in a new study on The Cost of Obesity in British Columbia. It is estimated that 2,000 British Columbians die prematurely each year from obesity-related diseases. Ironically, these people will often not admit to being fat, even if it kills them. Why? Just like portion sizes, we’ve gotten progressively bigger over the years, so it's almost impossible to know what “normal” is anymore. Some genuinely still believe they are big-boned, and holding water. Denial, baby! I’m not buying the excuses you're selling. Just go for a 20-minute walk each day and eat less! There’s nothing like rolling out of bed on a Sunday mid-morning, making banana pancakes and soaking up the cartoon channel until it’s time to go mountain biking. But did you know that one pancake serving is actually supposed to be the size of a compact disc, which counts towards your five to 10 grain servings that you should be aiming for each day. One serving of cheese is approximately the size of four dice. Order nachos in a restaurant and you can expect to consume more than 1,000 calories. Many people start the day with a $5 coffee drink, and we're not talking a skim milk latté here. Today it's all about concoctions that would edge out the most extravagant deserts — such as the Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino Blended Coffee (yup, they still call it coffee). In a 24-ounce cup are 580 calories and 19 grams of fat. You’d be better off consuming a McDonald’s quarter-pounder with cheese (510 calories and just a few more grams of fat). Actually, you’d be");sQ1[86]=new Array("http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/11-13-2006/0004473076&EDATE","A Dangerous Concept: Childhood Obesity and Liposuction","","the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Human Appearance and Director of Clinical Services at the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders and noted authority on the subject. "There is no evidence to suggest that these procedures lead to improvements in health conditions affected by obesity. Hopefully, the media attention surrounding this story does not lead other adolescents and their families to think that liposuction and abdominoplasty are accepted treatments for obesity." "The Aesthetic Society is committed to excellence in education and patient safety," said James Stuzin, MD, President of ASAPS, "the use of large-volume lipoplasty without the data to support its safety and efficacy in childhood obesity goes against our mission." Most experts agree that for appropriately selected younger patients, cosmetic plastic surgery can have a positive impact, but only after they have reached physical development and only if they are psychologically healthy. However, all patients need to: * Explore risks and expected recovery times: Teens and their parents should understand the risks of surgery, postoperative restrictions on activity, and typical recovery times. * Assess physical maturity: Operating on a feature that has not yet fully developed could interfere with its growth, or negate the benefits of surgery in later years. * Explore emotional maturity and expectations: As with any patient, the young person should appreciate the benefits and limitations of the proposed surgery, and have realistic expectations. * Check credentials: State laws permit any licensed physician to call themselves a "plastic" or "cosmetic" surgeon, even if not trained as a surgeon. Look for certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. If the doctor operates in an ambulatory or office-based facility, the facility should be accredited. Additionally, the surgeon should have operating privileges in an accredited hospital for the same procedure being considered. About ASAPS The 2300-member American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) is the only plastic surgery organization devoted entirely to the advan");sQ1[87]=new Array("http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/6405.html","Banding surgery better than diet and exercise for moderately obese: study","Those who are more than 20 kg overweight will benefit more from a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery than from a low-calorie diet and exercise regimen, a study by researchers from Monash University Medical School in Melbourne in Australia has found.",". The weight loss in terms of kilograms was 21 and 5 for the surgery and traditional method groups respectively. The band group was also less susceptible to metabolic syndrome, a high-insulin level condition that increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, O'Brien said. Fifteen patients each in the two groups exhibited metabolic syndrome in the beginning of the study. But the prevalence of the syndrome fell to one patient in surgery group and eight in the non-surgery group by the end of two years. “These positive results suggest that physicians should reexamine the guidelines for weight-loss surgery to determine if they should be expanded to include mild to moderately obese patients,” O'Brien added. For now, the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery is used for patients who fall in the extremely obese, or more than 35 kg overweight, category. “Currently, the generally accepted practice is to perform weight-loss surgery only on the severely and morbidly obese. We have demonstrated that (the surgery) is a powerful tool in reducing the dangerous and costly effects of the metabolic syndrome,” he said. Mitchell Roslin, an obesity expert from Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, said the study reinforced the need to come up with medical interventions other than traditional therapies to combat the obesity epidemic. “The idea of relying on behavioral programs, which have failed for years, is just ludicrous. Clearly an effective treatment of obesity will require medical devices, or else better medications that aren't yet available,” Roslin said. But University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia obesity specialist Thomas Wadden felt the surgery is not a cost-effective and practical solution to the problem. “Because we have limited health care dollars, we have to decide how best to invest them. Are we going to provide bariatric surgery for a relatively small number of people or instead invest in the prevention of obesity so our children hopefully won't need this surgery?” he said. The findings of the study have been published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Copyright © 2007 Respective Author » Print this article » Email this article (Click Here) Share this article on » Related Articles - Hope for chronically obese patients: laparoscopic gastric bypass | 03 Dec 2004 Have your Say Name Email Subj");sQ1[88]=new Array("http://www.centerformediaresearch.com/cfmr_brief.cfm?fnl=061129","Center for Media Research - Daily Brief","","approximately 20 million working mothers in the 87 metropolitan markets we survey, and they have a newspaper index of 60 which is 40 points below the market average of 100. Television has an index of 81." With working mothers, Radio has an index of 113, only one point lower than it was five years ago Internet is 111, 14 points higher than five years ago Direct mail is 122, two points lower The index numbers are for The Media Audit"s "heavy exposure" which is 300 minutes of television per day, 60 minutes a day with newspapers, 180 minutes per day with radio, and 430 minutes per week on the Internet. Heavy exposure to direct mail is defined as anyone who reads three-fourths or more of the direct mail they receive. "Working mothers," says Jordan "is a distinctive segment of the market. The presence of children brings significant change in one's life, what they do with their money and the media to which they are exposed. Only 28 percent of the households in the 87 markets have two incomes. But, more than 60 percent of households with working mothers have two incomes." Working mothers have more dogs, cats, minivans, vehicles, money and maturity: With dogs they index at 122 cats at 114 minivans at 129 with weekly grocery expenditures of $150 or more, they index at 144. 35 percent of households with working mothers have three or more vehicles, an index of 121 41.7 percent have two or more vehicles, an index of 105. 19.6 percent of households with working mothers have incomes of $100,000 or more compared to 16.9 percent among all households 74.8 percent of working women are between the ages of 25 and 49, compared to just 49.4 percent in the same age bracket in the total adult population of the 87 markets "The presence of children in the home," says Jordan "influences almost all expenditures from life insurance to fast food. This segment of the market is of enormous value and interest to a broad array of advertisers." For more information, please visit The Media Audit here. Back Issues: 6/5/07 - Tech Buyers Go Deep For Information and Bite on White Papers 6/4/07 - Dads Are Recognized With Almost Ten Billion Dollars of Gifts This Year 6/1/07 - 35 to 54's Index Above Average as Podcast Audience 5/31/07 - Zero to Dell in 2.84 ");sQ1[89]=new Array("http://www.mysanantonio.com/salife/stories/MYSA120506.1P.lipo.1e5605b.html","MySA.com: Lifestyle | Features","","324,000 performed. Of the total, 3,084 procedures were performed on patients 18 or younger, a 22 percent increase since 2000. As with any major surgery, liposuction carries some serious risks. The amount suctioned out is carefully monitored and, usually, patients get intravenous fluids during these operations to avoid excessive fluid loss that could lead to shock. On the Web • U.S. Food and Drug Administration• American Society of Plastic Surgeons• American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery While he's aware of the controversy, the girl's father, Joey Bates, said he and Brooke's mother, Cindy, are convinced liposuction was the correct decision. "We've been astounded at the dramatic change in her appearance, and Brooke is so happy with the new her. She went from being last year the girl that everybody teased with fat jokes to this year where her self-esteem has gone through the roof. She feels so good about going out with her girlfriends and being able to buy the same clothes they do. Before she was a size 20 or 22. She went from 220 pounds to 155. And she's watching her diet because she doesn't want to go back to being a teased little girl." The girl at the center of all the attention was overweight from early childhood, and Bates said she tried repeatedly to lose weight with only minor success. Depressed and hurt by cruel remarks at school, she got the idea for having liposuction from cosmetic surgery makeover shows on television. In a recent interview from his ranch, Ersek, the plastic surgeon, insisted liposuction can be used for weight loss, as well as body contouring, and defended his decision to operate on the girl. He explained he was moved to perform surgery because the girl was desperate and because she told him she wanted her father, who was diagnosed with bladder cancer, to see her in a dress before he died. Bates said the cancer is now in remission. The 35 pounds were removed during a two-hour, outpatient operation under local anesthesia. Ersek said he followed safe procedures with the girl receiving about 8 liters of fluid intravenously. She banked two units of her own blood beforehand. A tummy tuck was performed several months after the liposuction to remove an apron of hanging abdominal fat. The fee for the surgeries was $25,000, and the family is on a payment plan. "In terms of age, what is the right age?" asked Ersek. "She is now down to 155 pounds. Did we do her any good? Wow. Did we treat obesity? Wow. We did the best thing for this little girl. Now, we're not suggesting that every 12 year old get sucked down to a size 2 so she can make the cheerleading squad. This was a special case, and if her dad wasn't sick I might have put it off longer." Ersek, who has been in practice for about 30 years and jokes about being "the biggest fat sucker in Texas," has appeared on television and a few years ago generated media stories when he performed liposuction on himself to demonstrate that fat contains stem cells. Recalling that surgery he said, "I think of myself as a scientist." Bates had known Ersek for years and said he felt comfortable having him operate. "If my little girl had been born with a cleft palate or some other deformity, we would have looked for the services of a plastic surgeon right off the get-go. I realize this is a weight thing, but we tried dieting for years and years, and it would all come back." Still, some plastic surgeons raise concerns. Speaking generally, Rod Rohrich, chairman of the department of plastic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and past-president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, observed, "Teenage cosmetic surgery is very limited in this country — especially liposuction — to unusual circumstances, and this certainly is an unusual circumstance. But body contouring and liposuction for teenagers is not the norm. Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity. I need to run and eat less to lose weight. Why would it be different for a kid?" Childhood obesity is a growing health problem, but from his office on Long Island, Gerut pointed out studies that show liposuction doesn't bestow the health benefits of diet and exercise. He said that after liposuction, the girl actually might be less healthy than before. That's because liposuction removes only fat immediately beneath the skin. The most dangerous fat in the body lies around major organs, so in an obese patient, a large proportion of potentially harmful body fat would remain after liposuction. "Lipo is for proportional changes, not weight changes — for a person who has two or three areas that are out of proportion," he concluded. "If lipo was as good as diet and exercise, I'd be thinner because I would have done it myself instead of struggling for the past 20 years with my 25 pounds." Asked what parents of obese youngsters who try, unsuccessfully, to lose weight could do, Gerut suggested lap-band bariatric surgery. Unlike gastric bypass surg");sQ1[90]=new Array("http://cbs11tv.com/topstories/local_story_312205225.html","cbs11tv.com - DISD Ready To Help Students Fight Obesity","Facing a growing obesity problem in its schools, the Dallas Independent School District is fighting back. Along with its physical education and nutrition classes, the district is about to bring in an outside company to help overweight students shape up.","education and nutrition classes, the district is about to bring in an outside company to help overweight students shape up.Sixty-five percent of the students in the DISD are Hispanic. School officials say it is those students who face the biggest health threat.“I don't like being called names and kids are just cruel,” said student, Lea Ann Oliver. When all else failed Oliver turned to gastric bypass surgery.The Dallas school district is the first to admit many of its students, especially Hispanics, are overweight. “What we want to do is give them the opportunity that African American and Anglo children have to improve their health through good nutritional habits," said Cecil Martinez, DISD.The issue came to a head a month ago when 13-year-old Jonathan Hernandez collapsed and died in gym class.Based in Phoenix, a program called ‘Operation Tone-Up’ is being used by school districts in Arizona, California and Illinois. The eight-week program targets grades K through 8th. What ‘McGruff: The Crime Dog’ is to crime prevention DISD hopes the character, ‘Mr. Tone’, will be to health. The district plans to introduce the program to 1,600 fourth graders at 20 elementary schools. “A lot of this (has to do with) physical activity outside. A lot of it has to do with nutrition and what they eat every day," said Tony Lamka, ‘Operation Tone-Up’.Lamka says the program is basically an educational game where children interact with characters, game books, and websites. The best news for the district is that the Cigna Foundation will cover the cost of the program, providing it meets Texas education regulations.Operation tone-up could begin next semester. (© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) From Our Partners Video You need the latest Flash player to view CBS 11 / TXA 21 - Dallas / Fort Worth's Source for Breaking News, Weather, and Sports video content. Click here to download. Advertisement CBS Related Links Operation Tone-Up Top News Stories NEW: Travel Agency Fire ");sQ1[91]=new Array("http://cbs11tv.com/topstories/local_story_318170115.html","cbs11tv.com - Fort Worth School Begins Child Obesity Study","Childhood obesity is a growing trend across the country, and especially in North Texas.  Now, experts are trying to do something about it.  A group of 46 third-graders at a school in southeast Fort Worth are participating in a study which hopes to teach them how to be fit and add years to their lives.","something about it. A group of 46 third-graders at a school in southeast Fort Worth are participating in a study which hopes to teach them how to be fit and add years to their lives.To set a baseline for the study, doctors first measure body fat and blood pressure. They attach the students’ toes to electrical impulses, gauging the density of what little fat they have on their bodies.“You’re not even going to feel it,” a technician assures 8-year-old Sheyla Guevara. “Ready?”Sheyla squinted and nodded. “Yes,” she said in a soft voice.The children in this particular neighborhood are more at risk than many other children because African Americans and Hispanics have a higher rate of obesity than whites and Asians.Dr. Richard Young, a JPS family physician, explained why. “This neighborhood is about ľ African American and Ľ Hispanic. And so, the demographics of that have a large part of why it’s more of a problem in this area.”The three-year program will also include periodic meetings with the students’ parents. They will share healthy cooking ideas and exercise tips.“We know that today’s society, we’re always on the go. We need something quick and handy. That’s not always the healthiest choice,” said Yolanda Pitts, the project coordinator.Also included in the study: encouraging parents to limit video games and TV watching at home.“We are not here to tell people to throw away all those devices,” Dr. Young said, “but be reasonable in their use.”Obesity can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure and strokes when these children get older. Doctors hope that they can keep the students healthy, and smiling, for many years to come. (© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) From Our Partners Video You need the latest Flash player to view CBS 11 / TXA 21 - Dallas / Fort Worth's Source for Breaking News, Weather, and Sports video content. Click here to download. Advertisement CBS Related Stories DISD Ready To Help Students Fight Obesity Child Obesity Epidemic Hits Home For Some Texans ");sQ1[92]=new Array("http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/accent/epaper/2006/11/12/a1d_surgery_web_1112.html","Lap-Band surgery: Getting a grip on obesity","Palm Beach Post - The Palm Beach Post newspaper, your top source for Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast news, plus national headlines, breaking news, weather, traffic and classifieds.","Lap-Band and gastric bypass surgery The Lap-Band The latest surgical tool in the fight against fat. Getting a grip on obesity Weight-loss surgery Q&A Eating after surgery Profiles of two locals More on weight loss Accent on Blogs from the Web More in Accent • Charm & Gal Friday • Columnists | Blog Squad • PB Social Diary • Comics/crosswords • Horoscopes • TV schedules | Movie listings Share This Story But at 315 pounds, the Royal Palm Beach teacher was desperate. She'd tried so many diets, she says, that the letter she wrote to her insurance company outlining her weight-loss attempts was six pages long. Kendall, 46, attended a JFK Medical Center seminar on the Lap-Band, an adjustable silicone ring that's placed around the upper portion of the stomach to limit food intake and boost fullness. "As soon as I heard about the reversibility and the less invasive feature of the band, I was interested," she says. "But my primary thing was that it didn't have anything to do with the intestines. When they said that, I got a lot more comfortable." So comfortable, in fact, that she's having a Lap-Band implanted this month, joining an increasing number of people who're willing to accept slower initial weight loss in exchange for a less drastic operation that doesn't alter their anatomy. "The Lap-Band has gone from 0 to approximately 25 percent of bariatric operations in about five years," says Dr. Philip Schauer, president of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. "That's pretty rapid. It definitely has found a niche." • The Lap-Band System, developed by Inamed (which was acquired by Allergan in April), received FDA approval in June 2001 and is the only gastric band used in the United States. Its name comes from "laparoscopic banding," which means the device is designed to be implanted with instruments passed through small cuts in the abdomen rather than through a full incision. Rocker wife and reality TV matriarch Sharon Osbourne was an early success story after getting a band in 1999 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles during FDA trials. She lost 125 pounds and has regained just 15. Although the Lap-Band is relatively new in the United States and still gaining acceptance by initially wary insurance companies, gastric banding (there are other versions beside the Lap-Band) has been popular in Europe for more than a decade. Studies vary, but in general, Lap-Band patients drop about 45 percent of their excess weight the first year after surgery. Patients who have gastric bypass, which involves stapling off a small pouch from the rest of the stomach and attaching it to the small intestine (therefore "bypassing" some intestine and decreasing calorie absorption), lose as much as 70 percent the first year. Schauer, director of bariatric surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, likens the choice to picking stocks: The higher-yield procedure carries more risk. Dr. Andrew Larson at JFK Medical Center in Atlantis, however, doesn't think the risk is worth it. Research shows that after seven years, both ");sQ1[93]=new Array("http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/accent/epaper/2006/11/18/a1d_BARIATRIC_STORE_1118.html","South Florida shop a haven for weight-loss patients","Palm Beach Post - The Palm Beach Post newspaper, your top source for Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast news, plus national headlines, breaking news, weather, traffic and classifieds.","2006 The last thing Susan Maria Leach thinks folks should have to sip after weight-loss surgery is what she calls "a dirt milkshake." And for bariatric patients who are advised to ingest at least 70 grams of protein a day while eating tiny portions (or risk hair loss and nutritional deficiencies), protein drinks are a staple. Problem is, many powders and potions taste lousy. The big issue An occasional series on size in America. Weight-loss/fitness guide Nutrition, exercise updates Carbs or fats? Body mass index Basics of nutrition Fast-food calories Plastic surgery Your guide to the latest cosmetic procedures. Accent on Blogs from the Web More in Accent • Charm & Gal Friday • Columnists | Blog Squad • PB Social Diary • Comics/crosswords • Horoscopes • TV schedules | Movie listings Share This Story "I've had people call here crying because they're hungry and frustrated," says Leach, who has kept off nearly 150 pounds since having gastric bypass in 2001. "I tell them not to worry because we guarantee we'll find something they'll like." After her own search for palatable products began five years ago, Leach launched BariatricEating.com (http://store.bariatriceating.com). Now her Web site and brick-and-mortar store, Before & After Nutrition in Pompano Beach, ring up about $3 million in annual sales with orders from around the globe. If you popped into Before & After, however, you'd never guess it caters to clients on restricted diets. Instead, it resembles an exclusive gourmet shop with items such as DaVinci sugar-free vanilla syrup, Revival yogurt-covered crispy bars and Spice Exchange sugar-free cocktail mixers. One shelf contains tub after tub of protein powder in flavors such as chocolate-coconut, strawberry-kiwi and vanilla-cinnamon. And a corner cooler is packed with one of Leach's top sellers, AchievOne coffee drinks, which have 20 grams of protein in a 9.5-ounce serving and cost $2.85 apiece (or $24.50 for a case of 12). "All of this happened by accident," says Leach, who lives in Hillsboro Beach with her husband, Ty. Both ditched real estate careers when her bariatric business took off. "I found I had a knack for surfing the Internet and finding items within our dietary restrictions that also taste good. "I didn't know a lot of people who'd had the surgery back when I had mine," she recalls. "Ty and I went out one night to a biker bar, and people were eating mozzarella sticks. I obviously couldn't eat those, so I started taking along good-tasting protein bars. I decided I wasn't going to be the freak eating the soup." The word I-N-D-U-L-G-E is spelled out in wooden letters above the door of Leach's office, which has a funky purple wall, heart-shaped mirror and overstuffed leather sofa. No dull conference table here. A set of Betty Boop salt-and-pepper shakers are just one of many gifts, like the chandelier earrings she's wearing, from loyal customers. Leach, 45, is more best-friend type than corporate titan. Maybe it's because she's been there. "I started being known at support group meetings as the lady with the recipes," says Leach, whose personal journal was turned into a book, Before & After: Living & Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery, in 2004. (The book also includes recipes and answers to frequently asked questions.) "I lost a lot of hair at about six or seven months out, and I was just taking Flintstones vitamins," she says. "Back then, we didn't have as much information as we do now. So I started taking trips and talking to people about triumphs and how to live life after weight-loss surgery. I developed a following of sorts, and it's been very humbling. It blows me away." On the corner of Leach's desk are a few new items, such as Justin's unsweetened peanut-butter blend in squeeze packets, that she's considering adding to her line. But first, the products must get the go-ahead from her taste-test panel. (The peanut butter? "A thumbs up," she replies. "This sounds crazy, but I love it on cucumbers.") Gastric bypass patients, by the way, can't rely on eating shrunken-down regular meals. After surgery, their stomachs are basically egg-sized pouches, so they have to be careful not to fill up on carbohydrates and fats before getting enough protein. And although Lap-Band patients digest food normally, they still must prioritize nutrition because their food intake is restricted by a band placed around the upper portion of their stomach. "I've waded through literally thousands of products on the market," says Leach, in a pink and black tank top and size 10 jeans. "The average person who's 300 pounds is intimidated and terrified to walk into a health-food store or GNC. When they come in here, they're made to feel comfortable." They're greeted, in fact, by Teresa White, a slim blonde who looks like a young Dolly Parton. "Once I tell them I lost 200 pounds after surgery, they relax," she says with a smile. Leach plans to expand by adding a café and a few workout machines — not a gym, she says, but a chance for people who've never been in a fitness facility to learn how to operate some equipment without feeling self-conscious. "Nobody has this surgery because their life is great," says Leach, who jazzes up mail-away orders with pink foam peanuts, pink-and-black paper shards and a free gift. "It can feel like being put on Death Row at first, and I try to make it so the food's not a punishment. "In the beginning, ");sQ1[94]=new Array("http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/525886/","Newswise Social and Behavioral Sciences News and Medical News | Obesity More Likely for Kids Who Live in Suburban Sprawl","","prone to obesity than kids who live in densely populated urban areas where they can easily walk to destinations. The study appears online on Tuesday, Dec.12. Said study leader Reid Ewing, of the University of Maryland’s National Center for Smart Growth, “After accounting for economic and demographic differences, adolescents surveyed in 1997 were more than twice as likely to be overweight if they lived in a sprawling county compared to a compact one. “The most likely reason--those living in sprawl are effectively living in their cars. They are getting little exercise walking as part of their daily lives, have less time to be physically active, and may even consume more calories as cars become de facto snack shops.” Ewing led the 2003 study that first reported a relationship between sprawling adult waistlines and sprawling metropolitan areas. That study estimated that the average adult living in dense and walkable Manhattan would weigh about six pounds less than an adult of the same age, race, and other personal characteristics living in the most sprawling suburban county, Geauga County outside Cleveland. Ewing’s co-authors in this latest study are David Berrigan of the National Cancer Institute and Ross Brownson of Saint Louis School of Public Health. First Look at Kids“This novel finding, that where you live can affect your weight, has been challenged, tested, and generally validated since then, but never for kids,” said Ewing. “Kids have become the focus of concern at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health agencies, since obese kids tend to become obese adults, with life-long health problems and associated elevated health care costs.” Ewing looked at a sample of 9,000 young Americans, first surveyed in 1997 for the Department of Labor’s National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Five years later, when the same youth were surveyed as young adults, the likelihood of being obese was, again, more than twice as great for those living in sprawling communities. “There was a wrinkle to these results, however, which initially stumped us,” said Ewing. “A significant association between urban sprawl and weight didn’t emerge for youth moving from one place to another. One possibility was that environmental effects take time to show up in weight gain. Good or bad habits with respect to physical activity and eating may die hard after a move. “But a re-look at the data provided an additional insight. The effect of sprawl is one-way. Those moving from sprawl to dense areas tended to lose significant amounts of weight, while those moving in the opposite direction were largely unaffected. The move from the most sprawling metropolitan county to the most compact would be expected, in the short-term, to take a pound off the average American youth. In t");sQ1[95]=new Array("http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/19129?badlink=1","Yale Daily News - Drugs won't solve the obesity","Obesity is the most visible and talked-about health issue in America today, and its prevalence is rising worldwide. It has a profound effect on public health and the economy, to the tune of $93 billion per year in health expenditures (not taking into account lost productivity), almost half of which is paid for by the federal government through the Medicare and Medicaid programs.","half of which is paid for by the federal government through the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Currently, about 32 percent of Americans are obese, the highest level in the world. As with any other disease, millions of dollars are being poured into the search for a cure. Earlier this month, researchers from Harvard Medical School and the National Institute on Aging released a report on their findings that resveratrol, a natural compound found in the skin of grapes and red wine, offsets the effects of a high-calorie diet when given to mice in high doses. But before you start guzzling Merlot, there is a qualifier: To get the equivalent of the daily dose of resveratrol the mice were given, a human would have to drink hundreds of bottles of wine every day — not to mention that these effects have not yet been shown in humans. The study showed that while mice fed a high-calorie diet and no resveratrol quickly developed signs of diabetes onset and liver enlargement and died sooner than mice fed a standard diet, mice given resveratrol along with the high-calorie diet showed no signs of diabetes or liver problems and lived longer, despite gaining weight. This finding could vastly improve the quality of life of those suffering from obesity by greatly reducing its side effects. Underlying this advance, however, is a culture and a media preoccupied with finding a “magic bullet.” News stories following the study’s release were replete with images of “having your cake and eating it too.” Even competing researchers gushed about the study’s promise: “It’s a fairly spectacular result,” University of Wisconsin medical professor and aging specialist Dr. Richard Weindruch told CNN. “People will go to McDonald’s and afterwards they’ll do super-sized resveratrol.” But where some see a godsend, I see further evidence of the erosion of personal responsibility and the shift of the search for obesity solutions in the wrong direction. A portion of the population is biologically predisposed to obesity, but comparing rates of obesity in the United States to those in other countries clearly shows that there is a problem with the food environment in which we live and consume. We are constantly bombarded with food advertisements, and food is available everywhere, conveniently packaged for consumption on the go. The majority of these packaged, processed foods are very unhealthy, high in calories, fat and sugar. These foods are also among the cheapest and are greatly consumed by the poor, who bear a disproportionate obesity burden in this country. These factors aside, the issue too often left out of the discussion of obesity is personal responsibility. I do not mean to stigmatize people suffering from obesity as somehow being weaker of willpower than the rest of the population. I instead believe that attitudes like Dr. Weindruch’s are dangerous. Just because it is possible to reduce the negative effects of a condition does not mean we should not continue trying to avoid it. Eating a high-fat and high-cholesterol food like a Big Mac would still be unhealthy, even if resveratrol’s benefits in mice could be repeated in humans. Needing another substance to negate the food is proof of its toxicity. A parallel would be the current state of AIDS in the United States. Antiretroviral drugs have made it so that those infected with HIV have greatly increased odds of leading productive and relatively healthy lives, but this does not mean that we should cease worrying about protecting ourselves from HIV infection. It is still beneficial to the body not to be carrying extra pounds. For those currently suffering from obesity, the results of the resveratrol study may hold the potential for reduced suffering. For others, this is an opportunity to realize the importance of resisting temptation. The idea of a medical safety net down the road might make it easier to live carefree today, but this is not the ideal path. As Yale Sch");sQ1[96]=new Array("http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/12/13/nfat13.xml","Yale Daily News - Drugs won't solve the obesity","Obesity is the most visible and talked-about health issue in America today, and its prevalence is rising worldwide. It has a profound effect on public health and the economy, to the tune of $93 billion per year in health expenditures (not taking into account lost productivity), almost half of which is paid for by the federal government through the Medicare and Medicaid programs.","half of which is paid for by the federal government through the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Currently, about 32 percent of Americans are obese, the highest level in the world. As with any other disease, millions of dollars are being poured into the search for a cure. Earlier this month, researchers from Harvard Medical School and the National Institute on Aging released a report on their findings that resveratrol, a natural compound found in the skin of grapes and red wine, offsets the effects of a high-calorie diet when given to mice in high doses. But before you start guzzling Merlot, there is a qualifier: To get the equivalent of the daily dose of resveratrol the mice were given, a human would have to drink hundreds of bottles of wine every day — not to mention that these effects have not yet been shown in humans. The study showed that while mice fed a high-calorie diet and no resveratrol quickly developed signs of diabetes onset and liver enlargement and died sooner than mice fed a standard diet, mice given resveratrol along with the high-calorie diet showed no signs of diabetes or liver problems and lived longer, despite gaining weight. This finding could vastly improve the quality of life of those suffering from obesity by greatly reducing its side effects. Underlying this advance, however, is a culture and a media preoccupied with finding a “magic bullet.” News stories following the study’s release were replete with images of “having your cake and eating it too.” Even competing researchers gushed about the study’s promise: “It’s a fairly spectacular result,” University of Wisconsin medical professor and aging specialist Dr. Richard Weindruch told CNN. “People will go to McDonald’s and afterwards they’ll do super-sized resveratrol.” But where some see a godsend, I see further evidence of the erosion of personal responsibility and the shift of the search for obesity solutions in the wrong direction. A portion of the population is biologically predisposed to obesity, but comparing rates of obesity in the United States to those in other countries clearly shows that there is a problem with the food environment in which we live and consume. We are constantly bombarded with food advertisements, and food is available everywhere, conveniently packaged for consumption on the go. The majority of these packaged, processed foods are very unhealthy, high in calories, fat and sugar. These foods are also among the cheapest and are greatly consumed by the poor, who bear a disproportionate obesity burden in this country. These factors aside, the issue too often left out of the discussion of obesity is personal responsibility. I do not mean to stigmatize people suffering from obesity as somehow being weaker of willpower than the rest of the population. I instead believe that attitudes like Dr. Weindruch’s are dangerous. Just because it is possible to reduce the negative effects of a condition does not mean we should not continue trying to avoid it. Eating a high-fat and high-cholesterol food like a Big Mac would still be unhealthy, even if resveratrol’s benefits in mice could be repeated in humans. Needing another substance to negate the food is proof of its toxicity. A parallel would be the current state of AIDS in the United States. Antiretroviral drugs have made it so that those infected with HIV have greatly increased odds of leading productive and relatively healthy lives, but this does not mean that we should cease worrying about protecting ourselves from HIV infection. It is still beneficial to the body not to be carrying extra pounds. For those currently suffering from obesity, the results of the resveratrol study may hold the potential for reduced suffering. For others, this is an opportunity to realize the importance of resisting temptation. The idea of a medical safety net down the road might make it easier to live carefree today, but this is not the ideal path. As Yale School of Medicine Dean Robert Alpern told the News in October, “Drugs can help, [but] they’re not ideal. People should eat less and exercise more — but if that doesn’t work, then we have to use medical treatment.” Medical treatment is a secondary option; personal action should come first. Kai Thaler is a sophomore in Jonathan Edward");sQ1[97]=new Array("http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/opinions/ci_4816332","Pasadena Star-News - Tougher tactics needed in obesity fight","","POLICY REAL ESTATE SEARCH SERVICES SPORTS - Angels - Boxing - Chivas - Dodgers - Extreme - Galaxy - Golf - Horse Racing - Preps - Tennis - UCLA - USC SUBSCRIBE TRAFFIC TRAVEL WEATHER WRITE A LETTER Thank you for visiting Pasadena Star-News. We are sorry the article that you requested is no longer available. Please search for this article in our archive search. More Headlines Triggering toy gun controlLibby sentence is appropriate George Will: Mayor confident in Newark's turnaround Ruben Navarrette: Official language not part of immigration debateBeyond gang forumsPols' perks under attack Peter Schrag: Correct calculation shows higher graduation rates Robert Rector: Endorsements carry little weight for votersOutsourcing jobs old hat for mediaWhere's Arnold the Reformer? Most ViewedMost Emailed(From the last 24 hours) Another man arrested in gang-crime surge Auto dealer considers moving PEACE: Group seeks ways to stem violence City places manager on leave South scores 4-2 win Now you're cookin'... Steaks! Larry Wilson: All are one at the Esalen institute Diet on the go NCAA track: Clearing her inner hurdles Sports briefs(From the last 24 hours) Gate issue hangs up Monrovians Area youngsters rally for peace City places manager on leave Bear released from storm drain 'Goofy Hat Bandit' robs area bank Fire code plan gets heated response Pasadena track club in the long run Shift in demographics seen at heart of racial violence Scores up since No Child Left Behind Rosemead city manager could be fired Sponsored Links Airline Tickets Free Reverse Osmosis Water Rancho Santa Margarita Real Estate Diamond engagement rings Back Pain Exercises Mortgage advice A");sQ1[98]=new Array("http://www.regence.com/trgmedpol/surgery/sur58.html","Surgery for Morbid Obesity","The Regence Group Medical Policy Manual - Surgery for Morbid Obesity","of dias that only 3% of patients were lost to follow-up. The average weight loss was 75% of excess weight at one year, declining to 50% by the eighth year. The authors observed an immediate drop in both blood glucose and exogenous insulin requirements after surgery. Long-term observation of 298 patients with preoperative diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance reveaBY. At time points longer than one year, some of the comparative studies report that the difference in weight loss between LAGB and GBY lessens, but others do not. Weight loss outcomes from the nine single-arm series with the most complete follow-up do not support the hypothesis that weight loss continues to increase after one to two years of follow-up. It appears more likely from the current data that attrition bias may account for the diminution of the difference in weight loss over time, particularly when patients who have their band removed or deflated are excluded from analysis. These studies also confirm that short-term (perioperative) complications are very low with LAGB, and lower than either open or laparoscopic GBY. Death is extremely rare, and serious perioperative complications probably occur at rates of less than 1%. The reported rates of long-term adverse events vary considerably. In the comparative trials, re-operations are reported in approximately 25% of patients, while in the single-arm studies the composite rate for re-operations is approximately half of this value (11.9%). The rates of other long term complications are also highly variable, for example, the range of rates for band slippage is 1 to 36% and the range for port access problems is 2 to 20%. These data on long-term complications remain suboptimal. The reporting of long-term complications in these trials is not systematic or consistent. It is not possible to determine the precise rates of long-term complications from these data; however, it is likely that complications are under-reported in many studies due to incomplete follow-up and a lack of systematic surveillance. The rates of long-term complications reported in some studies raise concern for the impact of these events on the overall benefit/risk ratio for LAGB. In comparing LAGB to GBY, there is a tradeoff in terms of risks and benefits. LAGB offers a less-invasive procedure that is associated with fewer procedural complications, a decreased hospital stay and earlier return to usual activities. However, the benefits, as defined by the amount of weight loss, will also be less for LAGB. The patterns of long-term complications also differ between the two procedures. For LAGB, longer-term adverse events related to the presence of a foreign body in the abdomen may occur, and may result in re-operations and removal of the band in a minority of patients. Patients who have their bands removed can later be offered an alternative bariatric surgery procedure, such as gastric bypass. Sleeve Gastrectomy Sleeve gastrectomy may be performed as a stand-alone procedure, or in combination with a malabsorptive procedure, such as the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. It has also been proposed as the first step in a 2-stage procedure, with gastric bypass or biliopancreatic diversion as the second stage. As a stand-alone procedure, there are limited data to evaluate outcomes and/or compare efficacy to other procedures. A small number of clinical series have been published that report on outcomes after sleeve gastrectomy alone. Moon et al. (28) reported on a series of 60 patients who had undergone sleeve gastrectomy and who had at least 1-year follow-up. These authors reported that the %EWL at 12 months was 83%. Diabetes resolved in 100% of patients in this series and hypertension resolved in 93%. In a smaller series of 23 patients, Langer et al. (29) reported a % EWL of 56% at one year. There are also a small number of clinical series that report on sleeve gastrectomy as the initial procedure of a 2-stage operation. This approach has been generally attempted in patients with “super” obesity (BMI >50), in whom a more complex initial operation may be associated with higher risk. Weight loss following sleeve gastrectomy may reduce the risk of these patients undergoing a more complex malabsorptive procedure in the future. The available series to date report only on very small numbers of patients, for example Regan et al. (n=7) and Mognol et al. (n=10). (30, 31) The published data on outcomes following completion of both stages of a 2-stage operation are limited to case reports and case series with very small numbers of patients. Biliopancreatic Bypass There have been numerous clinical series of BPD published, but as with other procedures, there is a lack of high-quality trials that directly compare outcomes of this procedure with gastric bypass. The bulk of experience with biliopancreatic bypass appears to be in Europe, particularly Italy. There are no case series reported in this country. According to Murr and colleagues, biliopancreatic bypass has not been widely accepted in this country due to unacceptable serious long-term morbidities. (32) For example, biliopancreatic bypass has largely been abandoned at the Mayo clinic due to the occurrence of steatorrhea, diarrhea, foul-smelling stools, severe bone pain, and the need for a life-long decreased appetites related to the dumping syndrome. These symptoms regressed with time to the point that the majority of patients could resume eating large meals, with most patients eating more than they did before the operation. With follow-up of up to 9 years, the authors reported a durable excess weight loss of 75%, suggesting that weight loss is greater with this procedure compared to gastric restrictiveplications including acute dilatation of the stomach, diffuse peritonitis, and acute pancreatitis. Late complications included incisional hernia in 17%, anastomotic ulcers in 10%, and severe protein malnutrition requiring total parenteral nutrition in 1.1%. Obesity-related complications, such as diabetes, hypertension, or arthritis resolved or improved in all patients. Nanni and colleagues reported on a case series of 59 patients. (37) Weight loss was similar, with 78% of excess weight loss after 2 years. Protein deficiency was noted in 2 (3.4%) patients. In 2003, Newbury and colleagues reported similar weight loss in a series of 82 patients (median %EWL = 73.0% at 36 months); however, 1 in 4 patients was hypocalcemic and 1 in 2 had a low vitamin D despite multivitamin supplementation. (38) The available evidence was more recently reviewed in the 2005 TEC Assessment (39) and outcomes of BPD, with or without duodenal switch, were compared with those of gastric bypass. One comparative trial and seven single arm series suggested that weight loss outcomes at one year were in the same range as for gast");sQ1[99]=new Array("http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_497739.html"," Highmark announces coverage for weight-loss surgery - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ","The region’s largest insurer, Highmark Inc., has approved coverage of a type of reversible weight-loss surgery, officials confirmed today.  ","TODAY IN HISTORY CENSUS About Us Help Desk Contact Us Frank L. Craig, Editor Robert Fryer, Managing Editor Joe Chudicek, Multimedia Editor Customized RSS News Feeds What is RSS? Staff Blogs Newspapers in Education AP Podcasts Back to headlines Larger text Smaller text Highmark announces coverage for weight-loss surgery Top Stories Local Sports Bucs find way to lose 'Signability' a factor for Pirates Timmons, Steelers not talking yet Complete U.S. Open coverage Read All Local Sports Multimedia Click here to watch interactive videos and graphics explaining each hole at Oakmont Country Club, by Head Golf Pro Bob Ford. All Multimedia | Penguins Steelers | Super Bowl XL National News Read All National News National Sports Read All National Sports Obituaries Obituaries in the news Read All Obituaries Strange Read All Strange Living Read All Top Living Other Sections College Basketball NBA NASCAR Extreme Weather Read All Technology World Today in History Tools Print this article E-mail this article Subscribe to this paper Larger text | Smaller text By Allison M. Heinrichs TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, March 14, 2007 The region’s largest insurer, Highmark Inc., has approved coverage of a type of reversible weight-loss surgery, officials confirmed today. The insurance provider also announced seven Western Pennsylvania hospitals as its “2007 Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Care,” or hospitals where it recommends people go for weight-loss surgery. “There was overwhelming evidence from studies and more long-term data that suggested the clinical benefits” of weight-loss surgery, said Highmark spokeswoman Kristin Ash. Patients with a body mass index – weight divided by height – above 39 or 35 to 39 with two other potentially fatal diseases, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, are covered by Highmark to receive a laparoscopic adjustable band. The plastic band is surgically placed around the top of the stomach, reducing the amount of food that reaches the stomach. story continues below “The ultimate benefit is better quality of life,” said Dr. Joseph Colella, director of the division of bariatric surgery at Allegheny General. The surgery is recommended for morbidly obese patients who have tried unsuccessfully to lose weight through diet and exercise and need to shed pounds to prevent obesity-related disease such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea and Type 2 diabetes. Highmark’s decision comes 13 months after Medicare and Medicaid began covering bariatric surgery. According to the National Institutes of Health, 34 percent of Americans are overweight and 27 percent are obese. The hospitals Highmark recommends for bariatric surgery are Allegheny General Hospital, North Side; Hamot Medical Center, Erie; Magee-Womens Hospital, Oakland; Sewickley Valle");sQ1[100]=new Array("http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.asp?n=1&neID=200703141680.2_1bb300283eb8e5b4","Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Name Area Hospitals as 2007 Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Care -  - insurancenewsnet.com","","years, there is great variation among providers in terms of how bariatric surgical candidates are evaluated and treated. Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery provide a full range of bariatric surgical care services including inpatient care, post-operative care, follow-up and patient education. "The Blue Distinction Centers designation offers members reliable quality- based information pertaining to Blue network participating facilities when selecting a provider," said Carey Vinson, M.D., vice president for Quality and Performance Management at Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. "This supports Highmark's consumerism approach to give members a greater hand in their health by providing tools to help members make informed choices about their health care." The hospitals that have earned this designation are: - Allegheny General Hospital - Hamot Medical Center - Magee Women's Hospital - Sewickley Valley Hospital - The Western Pennsylvania Hospital - UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside - UPMC St. Margaret With the current areas including Cardiac Care and Bariatric Surgery, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will have a much more comprehensive program focused on quality specialty care compared to other health plans. BDC designation is for one year and institutions that are a part of the program also are subject to periodic re-evaluation as criteria continue to evolve. About Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield As one of the state's leading health insurers and with nearly 70 years of community involvement, Pittsburgh-based Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield serves 3.1 million members. The company's mission is to provide access to affordable, quality health care enabling individuals to live longer, healthier lives. Highmark exerts an enormous economic impact throughout Pennsylvania. A recent study states that Highmark's positive impact exceeded $2.5 billion. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield employs more than 5,000 people in the region and provides the resources to give its members a greater hand in their health. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. SOURCE Highmark CONTACT: Leilyn Perri of Highmark Blue Shield, +1-717-302-4243, or leilyn.perri@highmark.com This is a news service of Thomson Business Intelligence Service ©2006. This content is for your personal use only, subject to Terms and Conditions. No redistribution allowed. Back to Top E-mail Article Format for Printing Gift Subscriptions! Free Newsletter Edit My Newsletters Advertising Info PR/Press Release Service Add INN To Your W");sQ1[101]=new Array("http://www.newsobserver.com/104/story/549527.html","newsobserver.com | Insurer wages its own war on obesity","","revenue from healthy customers who pay monthly premiums well into their 70s than from customers who die of natural causes years earlier. Although life insurers typically consider lifestyle, weight, age and family medical history when writing policies, Phoenix's BMI discount is unique.More than 140 people have signed up for the program, and about 30 have been approved, the Hartford-based company said.One of them, 42-year-old David Rollins of Bloomington, Ill., was approved for the program this winter. Rollins, who has always kept fit with a regimen of running, bicycling and lifting weights, rolled his previous Phoenix policy into its BMI program to save money."In the longer term, the way I look at it, I'm buying a product that's going to reward my lifestyle," he said.But the American Medical Association said there's not necessarily a correlation between good health and BMI ratio. Muscular athletes in good condition would likely have a higher than recommended BMI, said Dr. Ron Davis, president-elect of the AMA."The point is obesity is a medical condition, and medical treatments are needed to address the problem," said Davis, a Detroit-based physician specializing in preventative medicine.Obesity is a complicated issue, with a great deal related to behaviors such as poor diet and lack of physical activity or a family's genetic makeup, he said.BMI ratio isn't the only gauge of obesity, Davis said. "But it's probably the best measure we have," he said.Dr. Rob Kinney, vice president and medical director of Phoenix, said BMI is a good measure of longevity, which is the first consideration for a life insurance company.Men and women who are in the BMI range of between 19 and 25 live longer, he said. "It's a statistical fact.""We would agree it's not a perfect measure," Kinney said.Some people have a BMI higher than what's acceptable yet are still healthy, while others who are within the range are not as healthy, he said."From a statistical standpoint, it's a very, very well-measured test," Kinney said. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be published, broadcast or redistributed in any manner. Story Tools Printer Friendly Email to a Friend Enlarge Font Decrease Font del.icio.us Digg it PHOENIX BREAKS NEW GROUND The Phoenix Cos. is one of the first insurers to offer discounts on life insurance to customers based on their body mass index ratio. WHAT IS BMI? BMI is a measurement that takes into account height and weight. It measures fat tissue, or adipose, to separate out the weight of muscle and the skeleton. WHAT IS CONSIDERED HEALTHY? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an underweight person will have BMI of less than 18.5. A normal range is 18.5 to 24.9. Overweight is 25 to 29.9, and more than 30 is considered obese. HOW DO I FIND MY BMI? Divide your weight in pounds by height in inches squared and multiply by 703. CAN I HAVE A HIGH BMI AND NOT BE FAT? Yes. Some people could have a high BMI without having a high percentage of body fat. Athletes, for example, have increased muscularity. Some people whose BMI is in the overweight range, between 25 and 29.9, may not have excess body fat. But most people with a BMI in the obese range will have increased levels of body fat. More Business Thailand defies Abbott on patents, pills, prices New bank targeting Raleigh market raises millions Oil prices mixed on worries about Iraq Support cut for student loans Yellow bulldozer building is sold FDA asks for stiff Avandia warning Quality survey gives Ford high marks RBC bank's new leader sees acquisitions ahead Most Popular Stories Last 24 hours Durham DA may face another entanglement Second chance pays off with graduation for Milburn students Gamecocks' ace prepares for Heels Durham teen drowns in lake New bank targeting Raleigh market raises millions Last 7 days Driver charged in fatal I-40 accident Driver in fatal wreck jailed, ID questioned Death rides a whim on I-95 Old names, new spellings Trooper tickets, teaches speeders Ad Links Buy a link » Advertisements Print Ads View all ads from past 7 days » BLOCKADE RUNNER HOTEL ECHO STAR ");sQ1[102]=new Array("http://www.whittierdailynews.com/business/ci_5351397","Whittier Daily News - Cut body mass, get slimmer premium","","e sorry the article that you requested is no longer available. Please search for this article in our archive search. More Headlines Hospitality industry hangs onStocks lose steamProductivity growth slows sharplyTainted ground beef recalledHome sales to decline furtherDow Jones staffers woo alternate bidsFord the victor in vehicle quality rankHonda to halt production of Accord hybrid sedanImprovised animationFactory orders weaker than expected Most ViewedMost Emailed(From the last 24 hours) Van crashes into house The show must go on Hughes saves it for Red Satellites keep eye on Darfur region Condors stopped in final Dining Guide Blue all-stars hold on for 6-5 victory Schmidt's return spoiled in 1-0 loss Morton Kondracke: Iraq Study Group, Dems won't provide surge... Steve Scauzillo: No joke: Traffic is killing us(From the last 24 hours) City's manager could be cut loose A family's strength Recall efforts in Montebello persist Around Whittier Girl still missing after 7 weeks School districts, nonprofit ");sQ1[103]=new Array("http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0213/p01s01-usec.html","Burdened by healthcare costs, US businesses seek a shift | csmonitor.com","Experts say the nation will probably migrate toward hybrid solutions that blend government, employer, and individual responsibilities.","out of this." The major role of employers in America's healthcare system is, in some ways, an unusual artifact of history. The practice of employers providing health insurance spread in the wake of World War II limits on wages, which prompted many employers to provide back door pay hikes by offering health insurance to employees. Given that legacy, many experts say the nation will probably migrate toward hybrid solutions, which blend a major government role with responsibilities for individuals and employers. "Whatever kind of reform we have will be a mixture of approaches," predicts Jack Hadley, a healthcare expert at the Urban Institute in Washington. In the process, he expects that employers will end up covering a smaller share of American workers. "That's certainly what the trend has been, and I don't see anything that would reverse that trend," he says. Last year, just 59 percent of US workers were covered by their employer's health insurance, down from 65 percent in 2001, according to research by the Kaiser Family Foundation. And health insurance premiums, on average, are 87 percent higher now than in 2000, compared with cumulative overall inflation of 18 percent during that span. It's not that businesses don't want to offer strong benefit packages to their workers. Many, especially at small businesses, can't afford big health plans. Even large businesses are asking employees to pay more out of pocket. "Wal-Mart is committed to high quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare," said Scott of Wal-Mart on Feb. 7. "But our current system hurts America's competitiveness and leaves too many people uninsured." The company has come under fire for what critics say are skimpy health benefits. Wal-Mart, for its part, says that 9 in 10 of its blue-garbed "associates" have coverage, either through the company or another source. In last week's push for universal coverage, Wal-Mart was joined by other major companies: Intel, AT&T, and Kelly Services. "We feel a huge sense of urgency," says Maria Ghazal, public-policy director for a healthcare task force at the Business Roundtable, a group of large employers based in Washington. The Roundtable itself, last month, joined with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to push for action on healthcare. "Mostly it's a sense that the way the system is now, if you can call it a system, is not sustainable," Ms. Ghazal says. She says the desire for discussion is very different from the atmosphere in 1993, when President Clinton's push for healthcare reforms foundered amid dissent, including from business. "That's one of the fundamental differences between 2007 and 1993," says Sara Howard, a health policy expert at the SEIU. "What is remarkable about what's happened in the last few weeks is that, for the first time, major corporations are stepping up and saying that the time for change is now." But all the calls for change don't create any clear mandate on policy. "Right now the momentum is there. I just don't know where we can find common agreement," says Katie Strong, director of congressional and public affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce, a business group in Washington. For one thing, the business world push doesn't settle a basic conservative-liberal divide over whether the key fix is a stronger role for government, or the introduction of more free-market competition in an industry where government has become the major purchaser. "The status quo guarantees government dominance of the system," says Robert Moffitt, an expert at the conservative Heritage Foundation. That's because government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid continue to grow, and some proposals envision government insuring workers who don't get coverage through their employer. Many employers support at least the concept behind President Bush's recent proposal to let individuals have the same tax deduction for healthcare that business enjoys. Such a move might inspire greater competition in the health-insurance marketplace, something businesses generally support. Employers also hope to see cost-control achieved through policies that improve the use of information technology in healthcare. Many others are open to discussing requirements that they provide health insurance for workers, or pay into a government fund to provide such coverage. Such a system, often dubbed "play or pay," is under consideration in California. Related Stories Opinion: America's struggle with healthcare 02/02/2007 Bush's gambit on health insurance 01/25/2007 Editorial: Healthcare the Schwarzenegger way 01/10/2007 E-mail Print Letter to the Editor Republish del.icio.us digg Get Monitor stories by e-mail: (Your e-mail address will be protected by csmonitor.com's tough privacy policy.) USA Stories:for 06/07/2007 Could US repel a cyberattack? In US's big presidential fields, who gets how much debate time? Sooty vessels try to turn green Rural US towns - left out by broadband - build their own A bioethics twist: artificial stem cells What is this? Links of interest Shiites Rising: Sect leaders craft message for masses Tough agenda for G-8 chiefs Could US repel a cyberattack? Rural US towns - left out by broadband - build their own What do we owe the wrongly convicted? | Share your thoughts | Poll Headline News Service: Get the Monitor in your inbox daily Most-viewed stories (for 06/07/2007) Can the religious left sway the '08 race? (06/06/2007) Shiites Rising: Islam's minority reaches new prominence (06/06/2007) Corruption issue besets House Democrats, again (06/06/2007) Church stresses importance of healing (06/06/2007) The origins of Shiite Islam (06/06/2007) Monitor Services Subscribe Treeless Edition Give a gift subscription Free sample issue Search the Archives Monitor Mall Receive our free e-mail newsletters: Enter e-mail address Today's print issue Enlarge page one Sponsored Links Apparel T-Shirts - Design Online Womens Shoes Automotive Auto Transport Business Resources Business Cards Free DIY Logo Design Education MA in Diplomacy - Online Student Loans Financia");sQ1[104]=new Array("http://www.thestar.com/News/article/177889","TheStar.com - News - Province allocates funds for more obesity surgeries","The Toronto Star","surgeries Print Choose text size Tag and save Feb 03, 2007 04:30 AM Rob Ferguson Queen's Park Bureau By the time he reached 368 pounds, former cop Malcolm Higgins had tried every diet going. South Beach. Protein Power. Bananas and milk. You name it. "I've been on the pizza and beer diet, too, I suppose." On Tuesday, he had a stomach bypass operation at Humber River Regional Hospital – an opportunity another 225 morbidly obese Ontarians will get annually as the province increases the number of bariatric surgeries by about 75 per cent to 525. The government is earmarking $3.7 million to perform an additional 225 bariatric surgeries a year at Humber River Regional Hospital, which has been doing about 48 annually, part of a province-wide total of 300 at seven hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area, Guelph and Ottawa. Health Minister George Smitherman called the move a "giant leap forward" that will save taxpayers money because fewer Ontarians will be sent outside the province for the operations – a bill that totalled $9.4 million for 394 patients last year. The operation costs about $16,500 in Ontario. "There's a growing demand for this for a fairly small part of the population overall who just are struggling with morbid obesity," Smitherman said, calling the surgeries a "last resort" for some people with underlying health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Candidates for the surgery must score at least 40 on the Body Mass Index, a scale based on height and weight (obesity begins at 30 on the scale), and they must have the "right mindset" to stick with a regimen of tiny post-op meals, vitamins and supplements, said Humber surgeon Dr. John Hagen. There is a three-year waiting list for the surgery at Humber, which will now develop a province-wide waiting list. Higgins, a paralegal, suffered from high blood pressure and an arthritic knee. He said he would never be able to stick to a normal diet and hopes the operation will help him get down to about 200 pounds. "There's no alternative now," he added, noting that eating too much will cause him to throw up. Hagen said patients typically lose 80 per cent of their excess weight in the first year and about 80 per cent of patients manage to keep it off. SPECIALS Gore Vidal at 81 Luminato Why kill the Accord hybrid? More Specials Great home delivery subscription deals here! More in the news 10,000 storm G-8 summit Castro gives TV interview $4 million safe haven plan opens schools for summer Board now sees troubles at Jefferys Man tries to jump into popemobile Two NATO soldiers die in Afghanistan Turkish troops enter northern Iraq Prosecutor to probe B.C. polygamists Winnie Mandela not welcome in Canada Welcome to the neighbourhood MOST POPULAR ON THESTAR.COM Most Read Most Emailed Winnie Mand");sQ1[105]=new Array("http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/February2007/02/c4170.html","CNW Telbec","www.cnw.ca - CNW Telbec est la premičre ressource au pays en matičre d.information et de renseignements ŕ délai de livraison critique provenant de plus de 10 000 sources, du pays et du monde entier. Sociétés ouvertes, associations, syndicats, organismes sans but lucratif, gouvernements fédéral, provinciaux et municipaux utilisent tous les services et les réseaux de communication multimédias uniques de CNW Telbec afin d.acheminer efficacement leurs messages vers les salles de rédaction, le milieu des affaires et le public.","medical treatment of last resort. This investment will provide those patients with the surgery they need in Ontario and will make Humber River Regional Hospital (HRRH) the province's first centre of excellence in providing bariatric surgery." The funding announced today will enable the hospital to increase access to bariatric surgery, including specialized gastric bypass surgery, so individuals do not have to seek out-of-province care. Today's announcement includes: > "We are excited by the government's investment that will make us the first centre of excellence in the province," said Dr. Rueben Devlin, President & CEO of Humber River Regional Hospital. "We have an outstanding laproscopic bariatric program staffed by some of the best in Ontario and we look forward to helping more Ontarians receive this highly specialized surgery closer to home." Humber River Regional Hospital's bariatric surgery program has been in place since 2000 with an experienced team of surgeons, medical internists, anesthetists, nurses, dieticians and social workers. The program builds on the commitment by patients to maintain their reduced weight following surgery. Bariatric surgery - such as gastric bypass surgery - involves various methods of reconfiguring a patient's digestive system that results in a significant loss of weight. It is considered a medical intervention of last resort for patients who have unsuccessfully tried to lose weight in other ways, such as diet, increased physical activity, behaviour modification and anti-obesity drugs. This is just the latest example of how the McGuinty government is working to help Ontarians stay healthy and improve access to quality hospital care. Other examples include: > Today's initiative is part of the McGuinty government's plan for innovation in public health care, building a system that delivers on ");sQ1[106]=new Array("http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/stories/20070205/localnews/154335.shtml","'Super obesity' challenges health care - gainesvilletimes.com","gainesvilletimes.com's Local News section","Discovery Channel's "Half-Ton Man," Dionne doesn't appear on screen, but he's often a behind-the-scenes adviser, training medical personal how to handle the patient safely. Over the years, he's developed a system of classifying patients according to body type, on the theory that the person's shape should dictate treatment. For example, people with "apple" body types, where most of their excess weight is around the abdomen, tend to have breathing problems and need a lot of respiratory support. On the other hand, patients with "pear" shapes, where most of the weight is in the lower body, may have trouble walking because of pressure on their knees. Dionne recently lectured at the National Institutes of Health about his classification system, and he's just published a book, "Among Giants: Courageous Stories of Those Who Are Obese and Those Who Care For Them." "The message of the book is that bariatric rehabilitation in this country is in its infancy and there is not enough funding," he said. "But it also addresses how medical facilities go to great lengths to help these people." The right equipment, including extra-wide, extra-strong beds, chairs and lifts, is essential, both in the hospital and after a patient is sent home. Medical workers also have to be taught ergonomic techniques so they can move heavy patients without injuring either themselves or the person. But attitude adjustment may be the hardest thing to learn. Dionne said he has witnessed appalling behavior by some health care workers, who often treat obese patients as less than human. "Patients feel humiliated and degraded, which makes them reluctant to communicate openly with their caregivers," Dionne said. He likes to refer to patients up to 500 pounds as "persons of size," and those from 500 to 1,000 pounds as "persons of significant size." Terms like "obese" and "bariatric" may have negative connotations and make the patient feel ashamed, he believes. "People, even in the medical community, still tend to view this problem (of extreme obesity) as a behavioral disorder," he said. "I don't discount behavior, but there are societal and genetic issues at the root of this as well." Dionne said most people who become morbidly obese lack a functional feedback mechanism, which normally would send signals to the brain that the stomach is full. "That's why people who lose a tremendous amount of weight almost always end up gaining it back," he said. "For some patients, nothing else will help but surgery. It doesn't restore their feedback mechanism, but at least gives them a mechanical correction." Procedures such as gastric bypass work by reducing the stomach to a tiny pouch, so the patient is incapable of eating large amounts of food. Northeast Georgia Medical Center's Lanier Park campus has a center for bariatric surgery, and has achieved a high rate of success with the gastric bypass and lap-band procedures. But not everyone is a candidate for surgery. "I generally work with the patients nobody wants," Dionne said. "They wouldn't survive the surgery because their weight is too high and they've already got too many medical problems. I've also worked with some who had the surgery and it failed." Dionne's job isn't to help people lose weight. He concentrates on helping patients build enough strength so they can p");sQ1[107]=new Array("http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7BD69FA73B-D3DB-4CE8-A84E-86EA77223EA7%7D&CATEGORYNAME=HEAL","Chennai Online News Service - View News","","Shopping | Classifieds  | Astrology | News | Forum Site Web Jun 7, 2007 Thu Sarvajithu - Vaikasi Air Fares Cricket Education Finance Friendship Health Hotels Jobs Movies Music Panorama Real Estate Tamil Songs   Categories NewsGrabBeta Chennai National Business Tamil Nadu Technology Health Entertainment Crime Sports How will be my Future Plus 2 Results Have a degree? Experience in tech sales? Click here to submit your resume Donate Liberally for Renovation of tiruparkadal Ranganatha Temple Over 2,00,000 Jobs! 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Click here for more");sQ1[108]=new Array("http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_5159555","Salt Lake Tribune - Obesity insurance","","Columnists Blogs Crossword Business Personal Finance Real Estate Stocks Technology Tourism Opinion Editorials Commentaries Public Forum Letters Bagley Cartoons TribTalk Blogs Close-Up Davis County Holladay Midvale Salt Lake/Avenues Sandy/Draper Sugarhouse West/South Jordan West Valley Obituaries Classifieds Classifieds Homes Cars Jobs Thrifties Dogs All Classifieds Legal Notices Home Business More Sites Community News E-edition Elections Guide Fantasy Sports Fronteras Grocery Holiday Guide Hometown Values In Utah This Week Shopping Utah Journal of Commerce Utah Bride Guide Veterans Tribute Help Desk Contact Us FAQ Circulation Subscribe Advertising Info. Place an ad Make a payment Ad rate cards Editorials Protect Chronicle: Independent student newspaper serves vital roleBetter bus service: It's time for UTA to live up to its promisesMine, all mine: Cache County has to prove forest road ownershipGas attack: Questar Gas tries new ploy to silence its criticsChanging faces: Educating all students is expensiveBack to Cold War: Anti-missile system could upset balance with RussiaVoters' choice: Put public safety bond issue on ballotBush's half-measure: His global-warming plan too little, too lateWhat's in that drink?: Some hybrid energy drinks contain alcoholA bad choice: Stevens got public-land office off to poor start Commentaries Dick Polman: Clinton comes out aheadCool it, it's not a Cold WarBush's Korean analogyCal Thomas: What's faith got to do with it?Despite outcome, things did not go smoothly in NormandyA Hypocritical Oath: Psychologists and tortureMyths About That $3.18 Per GallonCongress must act to safeguard the Clean Water ActDyer: The war of six days and 40 years - its outcome still in doubtFred Hiatt: Stay-the-course plus Letters Fear of vouchersNaked aggressionHandicaps not obviousVouchers are solution'Mo");sQ1[109]=new Array("http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/01/prweb500604.htm","Arizona Survey Gathers Wage, Salary, and Benefits Data from 60 Healthcare Employers","PR:  WageWatch, Inc., the leading Web-based compensation and benefits survey company, announced today that it has been awarded a second three-year contract with the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) to conduct a statewide wage, salary, and benefits survey for hospitals and healthcare or","benefits survey for hospitals and healthcare organizations in Arizona. The 2007 survey will gather pay data and information on employee benefits programs covering over 60 major healthcare employers. "Healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in Arizona, and our members look to this survey as a key management tool for recruiting and retaining employees", stated Bud Zomok, the Director of Workforce & Staffing Services of AzHHA. The survey gathers data on over 225 key industry jobs and includes a detailed benefits survey tool that collects information on Medical, Dental and Vision plans. Also included in the AzHHA program are turnover reports, vacancy reports and a monthly survey. Participants are able to segregate data into their preferred peer groups for comparison purposes without sacrificing confidentiality. "Each year organizations representing over 90% of the licensed hospital beds in Arizona submit data to the survey, providing the most comprehensive data available on healthcare wages in the state", stated Margaret Dyekman, President and COO of WageWatch. Data submission is currently underway, and the 2007 survey will be fully populated by early spring. For more information, contact Jim Crews at 480-657-6504. About Wage Watch Wagewatch (www.wagewatch.com),the leading Web-based source for compensation and benefits data, provides instantly accessible industry wage, salary and benefits data, delivered to any Internet-enabled device. Using a patent-pending technology, WageWatch surveys industries and provides companies with the data they need to make their compensation and benefits decisions. About Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Assocation The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association is an organization of hospitals and health systems dedicated to providing leadership on issues affecting the delivery, quality, accessibility and cost effectiveness of healthcare. The Association accepts and shares in the responsibility for improving the health status of the people of Arizona. ### OPTIONS Printer Friendly Version Email this story to a colleague CONTACT INF");sQ1[110]=new Array("http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,246519,00.html","FOXNews.com - Anger Erupts Over Insurance Company's IQ Test for Weight-Loss Surgery  - Health News | Current Health News | Medical News","Anger Erupts Over Insurance Company's IQ Test for Weight-Loss Surgery , Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee is requiring morbidly obese patients to undergo IQ testing before qualifying for weight-loss surgery.","VERSION Pam Davis Pam Davis, before and after gastric bypass surgery. When a 330-pound Pam Davis underwent gastric bypass surgery five years ago, her main concern was to save her own life so she could be there for her children. Nowhere along the line did a doctor or an insurance company question whether she had the "intelligence" necessary to make the decision about having the surgery to help her lose weight and reclaim her health. Now, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is requiring patients prove just that. In April 2006, the company introduced a controversial new stipulation, requiring IQ screening for all morbidly obese patients looking to undergo gastric bypass surgery. According to a 2006 report by Trust for America's Health, Tennessee was ranked the nation's sixth heaviest state, with adult obesity rates of 26.6 percent. During the potentially life-saving procedure, doctors staple part of the patient's stomach, which reduces the amount of food eaten, often leading to drastic weight loss. Recent years have seen growing numbers of patients requesting the procedure, putting an additional burden on these organizations. (Story continues below) Advertise Here Advertisements Opposing Sides "The term IQ test is misleading," Mary Thompson, spokeswoman for BlueCross Blue Shield of Tennessee, told FOXNews.com. "It really measures the patient's knowledge of the surgery itself and the eating and lifestyle changes necessary afterward." BlueCross's own documentation, however, spells out strict guidelines for patients considering the procedure that includes the need for both an IQ screening approved by the American Psychological Association, and additional tests designed, as Thompson indicates, to measure eating behavior or attitudes, along with other evaluative materials from a psychologist or psychiatrist. Thompson, however, said no patients have been turned down for surgery to date based solely on their IQ score. Obesity advocates — and former gastric-bypass patient Pam Davis — say the policy is just plain wrong. "One of the thoughts along this avenue is that obesity is seen as one of the last socially acceptable forms of discrimination," said Davis, a registered nurse and gastric bypass success story who lost 160 pounds after her surgery. Obesity Action Coalition, a nonprofit group that works to educate people about the realities of obesity, stepped up immediately to speak out against the policy. "This is blatant discrimination against those affected by obesity who are trying to access care," said James Zervios, director of communications for the coalition. "For people going through the process now it's yet another hurdle to jump to access treatment." Susan Estrich, FOXNews' legal analyst and professor of law and political science at the University of Southern California thinks the insurance company should be ashamed of themselves. "Imagine if we did this to people who smoked, ride motorcycles, or take other risks which you and I might consider foolish, and then get sick and need help," said Estrich. "Shall we test everyone to determine the extent to which they are 'responsible”' for their condition or deserving of treatment?" "Morbid obesity is an illness, not a sign of reduced intelligence that has to be rebutted in order to qualify for treatment." The coalition first learned of the policy when a Tennessee BlueCross patient who was seeking treatment came to them with concerns about the new stipulation. "This requirement was erroneously thrown in," Zervios said. "They haven't published evidence saying if it works, it's just been tossed into the policy. Where did it come from?" Rick Mayes, assistant professor of public policy at the University of Richmond, and a nationally recognized expert on health insurance, said it's unheard of for insurance companies to require IQ tests. "I have never heard of this before," said Mayes, referring to the Tennessee BlueCross IQ requirement. But, he added, it's not surprising considering the rising rates of obesity and the growing prevalence of the surgery. "It’s a double whammy for these companies. As the procedure becomes more available and more people become eligible, they're getting scared," he said. Businesses are always looking to keep costs down, and insurance arrangements are essentially business contracts, Mayes added. "This is symptomatic of insurance companies trying to avoid costly patients." First-Hand Experience As a nurse, Davis said she weighed the decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery thoughtfully with a wealth of information. The same is true, she says, for most patients looking to undergo the procedure. Before her surgery, Davis worked as a nurse in a vascular center, but after her experience, she was inspired to work with others going through the bariatric [weight-loss] surgery process. "When patients first come to a seminar on the surgery, they tend to very educated already, we just reinforce that education," she said. "And we insure that they're prepared." Psychological evaluation is already a required and welcome part of the criteria for patients who are seeking the surgery, Davis contends, so the additional IQ testing is unnecessary. "For complex procedures like heart transplants that require elaborate medication regiments after surgery, those patients don’t have to undergo IQ tests to make sure they're intelligent enough to follow instructions afterwards," she said. Weighing the Options BlueCross maintains that the new screening only determines how much additional attention the patient may need. "To say that this policy is discriminatory is absolutely false," Thompson said. "Nothing in the policy indicates that if a patient's score is below a certain level they cannot have the procedure." According to the company, the decision to enact the policy was made after the Tennessee BlueCross medical policy team attended the 2006 Bariatric Conference and learned that there was growing concern about patients' abilities to handle the procedure, as well as the follow-up care. "If an IQ is deemed low, we'll work to ensure that the physician and medical team will follow the patient more closely during and after procedure, and they'll be more aware of the need to follow up with candidate," Thompson said. How would Davis have felt if she had been asked to undergo such a test before her surgery? "I would have been pretty outraged and indignant that a corporation is trying to decide if I'm smart enough to have a procedure that’s going to save my life," she said. Moving Forward The OAC says their next step is to contact Tennessee state legislators about the issue, and ensure that lawmakers are aware of what's going on within their state. With regards to the objections about their policy, Tennessee Blue Cross says they're open to the various points of view, but for now, the new requirement will stand. "We're not developing policies in a vacuum. We take the feedback, process it, and look at the scientific evidence that exists," Thompson said. "For us, science wins out in terms of the safety of our members who look to us for health care." But according to James Zervios and Pam Davis and others like them, the policy needs to be rescinded. "We would never tell a cancer patient that they weren’t allowed chemotherapy until they had an IQ test," Zervios said. "The test is like a slap in the face for those that are trying to seek treatment." See Next Story in Health E-MAIL STORY PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION Top Video New Micro-Hip Surgery Dr. Manny reveals a new less-invasive hip replacement surgery Latest Fox News Headlines Health Man sues over persistent erection Study: Drinking coffee fights liver canc Study: Back surgery may be unnecessary Spa safety for moms-to-be ADVERTISEMENT Most Read Top Emailed Top Videos Suspect Arrested in Kidnap, Murder of Kansas Teen Kelsey Smith Connecticut Police Discover Missing Teen Girl Locked Underneath Staircase Man, 66, Amputates Own Leg After Tree Pins Limb Down for 11 Hours Connecticut Police Discover Missing Teen Girl Locked Underneath Staircase Girl Scout Escapes From Bear Trying to Pull Her Out of Tent in New Jersey Wisconsin Man Drowns Trying to Retrieve Mobile Phone From Sewer Police Investigating Murder-Suicide That Left Model, Former Cop Dead Police Look for Killer After Body of Missing Kansas Teen is Found Syrian Politician: War With Israel Coming Soon Immigration Reform Supporters Hold Out Hope to Save Bill Pop Tarts: Will Paris Hilton Stoop From Sexy to Staph? Family of D-Day Veteran Recoups Military Dog Tags 63 Years After His Death During The Invasion NBC Exec Says He Will Do Anything to Get Rosie O'Donnell Feds Probe How 3 Workers Got Exposed to Plutonium at Nevada Test Site Navy Doctor Charged With Taping Midshipman Having Sex at His Home Man Sues Health Drink Maker Over Erection Mr. and Mrs. Mom and Dad: What to Call the In-Laws In-Laws 101: 5 Questions to Ask Your Spouse-to-Be Investigators Swarm Kansas City Area in Search of Missing Teen Navy Doctor Charged With Taping Midshipman Having Sex at His Home Man Sues Health Drink Maker Over Erection Judge Now Only Wants $54 Million From Dry Cleaners for Lost Pants All You Need is Water: Dutch Students Make Alcohol Powder Government Reports 1,600 Roller Shoe Injuries Realtor Group: Home Sales, Prices Will Dip More in 2007 'Muhammad' Jumps to No. 2 in Britain as Most Popular Name for Baby Boys Student Stripper: Jenny Heineman O'Reilly: The NY Times under seige Drag racer plows into crowd Miller Time! Penny pays off big in California Talking Points: 6/5 Tragic Ending Karr Goes 'On the Record' Failing Immigration Bill? U.S. World Politics Business Health Science Tech Entertainment AP Wires Surgery Begins on Conjoined Twin Girls Report: Accidental Deaths on the Rise Court Grants Asylum Over Forced Abortion 1,600 Roller-Shoe Injuries Reported TB Patient's Family Releases Tape TB Traveler Moved Flight After Warning Avandia to Car");sQ1[111]=new Array("ttp://thehill.com/business--lobby/groups-unite-on-healthcare-2007-01-16.html","TheHill.com - Groups unite on healthcare","The Hill is a congressional newspaper that publishes daily when Congress is in session, with a special focus on business and lobbying, political campaigns and goings on on Capitol Hill.","Congress and the march toward the presidential campaign season have emboldened advocates of healthcare reform to jumpstart the debate, said Diane Rowland, executive director of the nonpartisan Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. Today, the Business Roundtable, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the AARP will launch a campaign they are calling Divided We Fail. The groups intend to put a spotlight on healthcare costs and coverage through this initiative. “There is pain at all levels at this point,” an AARP spokesman, Mark Kitchens, said. “That’s one of the things that’s different now.” “There is enthusiasm that maybe now we can really roll up our sleeves and get things done,” the roundtable’s director of public policy, Maria Ghazal, said. “There is clearly momentum building for fundamental changes to the healthcare system,” SEIU spokeswoman Sara Howard wrote in an e-mail. “For the first time, business, labor and consumers are standing together to address this problem.” Since the Clinton administration’s effort to enact universal healthcare failed in the early 1990s, Congress has shied away from promoting broad federal actions to address the issues of costs and coverage. The Clinton and Bush administrations, the Republican-led Congress and the two parties’ leading presidential candidates instead focused on narrower initiatives. In the meantime, the private sector has continued to struggle with maintaining adequate health benefits in the face of escalating expenses. “Business, labor and consumers are all feeling the same stress,” Ghazal said. She also noted that surveys of her organization’s CEO members have shown healthcare spending to be the No. 1 cost pressure facing large employers. The three organizations hope to compel Congress and the 2008 presidential candidates to engage in a full debate about the future of the healthcare system. “This is really going to be an enduring effort for us,” Kitchens said, one that will extend from this year through the presidential campaign and beyond. The alliance plans coordinated activities such as town-hall meetings on healthcare issues in key presidential primary states and joint appearances and op-eds by representatives of the three groups, Kitchens said. “We intend to hold our political leaders accountable for this,” Kitchens said. “Everyone is positioning themselves to try and promote this as an issue that will be a big player in the presidential elections,” Rowland said. A central theme of the Roundtable-SEIU-AARP initiative will be that all players, from employers to workers to the government, have a stake in the success of healthcare reform and that all of these players must do their part, Kitchens said. “We really are going to be stressing solutions and efforts from many different sectors,” he said. Ghazal emphasized that the alliance will not promote a government-managed universal healthcare program. “The foundation of our nation’s healthcare system should still definitely lie in the private marketplace,” she said. The business community’s belief that the government has to step up is not tantamount to an endorsement of government-run healthcare, Ghazal emphasized. “There’s more of a recognition that the government is already paying for more than 50 percent of healthcare,” she said. The Roundtable-SEIU-AARP alliance d");sQ1[112]=new Array("http://www.kcpw.org/article/2666","Low-income Advocates Push for Basic Healthcare - KCPW","","to Capitol Hill this afternoon urging Utah lawmakers to wake up and notice the many Utahns who are suffering due to a lack of healthcare. "I think it needs to be people first. People over parking, and teeth over tortoises. They chose to fund the tortoises down in St. George as opposed to funding dental for people with disabilities and low-income, and it's not fair. People need to be first, whether we're disabled or not." That's Ricki Landers, a low-income healthcare advocate from West Valley City. Insured Utahns like Jana Baldwin were also present at Capitol Hill to support the push for basic healthcare. "I am fortunate that I do have health insurance, but I still can't even pay for it. So, if I have health insurance and I can't pay for it, then how is anybody who is on a worse-off level than I am supposed to pay? I've been working on my masters in public health so I can hopefully have a bigger voice in the political arena." According to advocates, an estimated 132 Utahns will die in 2007 if nothing is done to help the uninsured and underinsured citizens. Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom and Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2007 KCPW Add your comment: Comments: Name: Email Address: Website URL: Copyright © 2006 KCPW Home Listen Schedule Community Calendar KCPW Newsroom Support KCPW Abou");sQ1[113]=new Array("http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_4966128","Salt Lake Tribune - Gastric surgery: Bill would mandate that insurance pay","","Columnists Blogs Crossword Business Personal Finance Real Estate Stocks Technology Tourism Opinion Editorials Commentaries Public Forum Letters Bagley Cartoons TribTalk Blogs Close-Up Davis County Holladay Midvale Salt Lake/Avenues Sandy/Draper Sugarhouse West/South Jordan West Valley Obituaries Classifieds Classifieds Homes Cars Jobs Thrifties Dogs All Classifieds Legal Notices Home Business More Sites Community News E-edition Elections Guide Fantasy Sports Fronteras Grocery Holiday Guide Hometown Values In Utah This Week Shopping Utah Journal of Commerce Utah Bride Guide Veterans Tribute Help Desk Contact Us FAQ Circulation Subscribe Advertising Info. Place an ad Make a payment Ad rate cards More Utah News Congress to automakers: Get ready for tougher fuel economy standardsProductivity slows in first quarter as wage pressure rises fasterU.S. jobless claims down second straight weekAnother cool dayProvo skyline on rise with plan for 10-story towerResearchers hit a possible stem-cell windfallMentor was popular with students, facultyNavajos seek probe of $2.2 million loanRebecca Walsh: At last, I get my shot at Girls StateRain tapers off; warming tomorrowThis is June?Trolley plan moves ahead - with stringsIt pays to be fit: Kids mingle with JazzAn end to Four Corners 'Rambo' mystery?Chief of community and government affairs resignsAir quality panel backs doctors' pollution study prescriptionD.A. wants her building in the burbsMansion tours are offeredHill airman's death a shock for familyNew child advocate heads Utah agencyMilitary aircraft lands safelyCorrectionsMountain hiker rescuedPolice ID rappeller who fell to his deathBody pulled from river is identifiedCrews contain desert blazeSuspect in arson soughtCenterville weighs outdoor ad rulesFor the RecordProtesters to Sen. Bennett: Vote 'no' on immigration reform billAsian festival going strong at 302 Hill air wings sharing fleetSL Airport tower evacuated when training fire exercise turns real, threatens pro");sQ1[114]=new Array("http://sev.prnewswire.com/health-care-hospitals/20061210/NYSU01510122006-1.html","CIGNA HealthCare :: CIGNA HealthCare Supports U.S. Senate and House Bipartisan Effort to Make Consumer Health Coverage More Affordable, Accessible and Flexible "," CIGNA HealthCare today announced its support of the bipartisan efforts of the House and Senate to make health care more affordable, accessible and responsive to the needs of America's consumers.","free basis for their retirement health care expenses and enable employers to provide additional assistance to lower-paid workers and their families. "Well designed consumer-directed health plans have demonstrably reduced the cost of health care while maintaining quality, and we applaud the House and Senate's bipartisan efforts to make these plans more accessible and responsive to the needs of America's working families," said CIGNA HealthCare Senior Vice President, Michael Showalter. CIGNA HealthCare recently completed a year-long analysis of 38,200 new users of the carrier's consumer-driven health care plans, called CIGNA Choice Fund(SM), that showed these members are becoming more cost-conscious, but are not sacrificing recommended care to save money and are also benefiting financially. Key findings from the analysis show that: * CIGNA Choice Fund is helping to control costs -- Costs for CIGNA Choice Fund HRA and HSA members decreased and were about 16 percent lower than costs for those enrolled in traditional plans; * Cost-shifting did not occur -- Member out-of-pocket costs decreased for CIGNA Choice Fund HRA members when compared to the prior year; * Members continued to receive appropriate care -- CIGNA Choice Fund HRA and HSA members increased their use of preventive care services, health care quality was maintained on hundreds of measures of evidence-based medicine, and use of medications that support chronic conditions increased, signaling that members are not foregoing needed care; * Consumers are becoming more engaged -- Consumers report increased awareness and engagement in managing their health care as compared to two years ago. A summary of this analysis is available on the CIGNA.com Web site: http://cigna.mediaroom.com/file.php/100/804096b+4pgFinal.pdf. According to Showalter, the legislation would make consumer health coverage more affordable, accessible and flexible by allowing people to contribute more to their HSAs and allowing one-time rollovers from IRA, FSA and HRA funds into an HSA, among other provisions. About CIGNA HealthCare CIGNA HealthCare, headquartered in Bloomfield, CT, provides medical benefits plans, dental coverage, behavioral health coverage, pharmacy benefits and products and services that integr");sQ1[115]=new Array("http://health.msn.com/guides/surgery/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100141261","Hospital-Acquired Infections - Prepped for Surgery - MSN Health & Fitness","In the hospital and out, your best bet for fighting infection is to be otherwise healthy. Pre-existing conditions can tax the immune system—which needs to be on full guard when facing a hospital procedure. Explore these checkpoints on infection stats and common routes for hospital-acquired infections.","ou don’t want routes into the body, and having them in longer provides more opportunity for infection to occur. The general rule of infection prevention is get the lines out as soon as possible.” While patients should not hesitate to remind doctors and nurses about keeping their hands clean while inserting or removing catheters, the majority of health care workers abide by the infection control guidelines handed down by the CDC, such as those regarding hand hygiene and IV catheters. advertisement Being on a ventilator is a known risk factor for pneumonia. Actors in hospital dramas on television love to say, “Tube ’im!” While that sounds like a lot of fun, the reality of intubation is that a patient has a tube passed through his mouth, past the back of the throat, down through the voice box and directly into the lungs because he cannot breathe on his own. Like a catheter, a ventilator represents risk because it invades the body’s system; unlike a catheter, a ventilator hikes up the risk by bypassing the natural defenses of the upper respiratory system. With the possibility of outside organisms taking this express route into the lungs, there’s an increased risk that secretions could pool in the lungs and become infected. The American Thoracic Society offers a page of patient information introducing the basic concepts and concerns surrounding mechanical ventilation. Long surgeries complicate the risk of infection. One of several risk factors increasing the instances of surgical site infections (SSI) is the length of time it takes to complete a procedure. Paula Wright explains, “The longer your body—which is supposed to be sterile inside—is open, the higher the risk that organisms in the air can settle into the surgical field.” Some systems in the body, such as the gastrointestinal tract, are generally more prone to infection. Infection control starts with the patient. It’s always wise to advocate for your own health, whether you’re caring for an incision after surgery or telling an intern not to cough into your chest wound. The National Patient Safety Foundation has produced a fact sheet of general principles for preventing infection in the hospital, and offers a long list of resources ");sQ1[116]=new Array("http://www.news-medical.net/?id=20688","Wall Street Journal examines concerns over limits of HIPAA Medical Privacy Rule","The Wall Street Journal on Saturday examined how forms that outline the medical privacy rule under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ","t; -- and how patients who visit physician offices, hospitals and pharmacies mistakenly "assume signing somehow protects their privacy" (Francis, Wall Street Journal, 10/21). The HIPAA Federal Privacy Rule allows health care providers to share patient medical records for the purposes of treatment and other "health care operations." Providers do not have to obtain written consent before they disclose medical records but are required to inform patients of their rights and make a "good-faith effort" to obtain written acknowledgment from patients that they have received the information. Providers must obtain consent from patients before they can disclose medical records in "nonroutine" cases (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 3/11/05). According to critics, the rule allows providers "to put medical information to myriad uses," the Journal reports. For example, providers can hire outside companies to survey patients on customer satisfaction or hire third-party marketers to advertise their products. Although the rule allows patients to extend restrictions on the use of their medical records through written agreements, providers do not have to agree to the terms under federal law. In addition, although violation of the rule can result in fines, the Office for Civil Rights, which received more than 22,600 complaints between mid-April 2003 and Sept. 30, to date has not issued any fines. Karen Hinton, a spokesperson for Patient Privacy Rights, said, "It's impossible to violate HIPAA." However, Thomas Wilder, vice president for private market regulation at America's Health Insurance Plans, said that the rule encourages "the appropriate use of information" and discourages "inappropriate sharing" (Wall Street Journal, 10/21). This article is republished with kind permission from our friends at the The Kaiser Family Foundation. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery of in-depth coverage of health policy developments, debates and discussions. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for Kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Copyright 2006 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved. Would you like to register for our weekly NO-NONSENSE Medical News Letter? At the end of each week we'll send you an email containing links to the most popular articles (by page impression) from your chosen categories that appeared on News-Medical.Net in that week. You will NOT be bombarded with advertising and you CAN unsubscribe at any time. Click here for more information. Child Health > Disease > Technology > Health Care > Conditions > Procedures > Patents > Research > Men's Health > Science > Miscellaneous > Pharmaceutical > Studies/Trials > Women's Health > News-Medical.Net complies with the HONcode standard for health trust worthy medical information: verify News-Medical.Net here. Child Health News Disease/Infection News Devices/Technology News Healthcare News M");sQ1[117]=new Array("http://www.kentucky.com/living/","Kentucky.com | Living","","Customer Care CenterSubscriber Services Search Kentuckywill release two special labeled wines -- an off-dry vidal blanc and a semi-sweet concord -- for this year's Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville. » More Columns Merlene Davis COMMENTARY TB patient's wrong moves easy to understand By Merlene Davis HERALD-LEADER COLUMNIST Folks are calling Andrew Speaker everything but a child of God because the Atlanta lawyer endangered so many fellow passengers on a couple of trans-Atlantic flights recently. » More Columns Shop Talk with Harriett Hendren Relics from the '80s By Harriett Hendren HHENDREN@HERALD-LEADER.COM Fashion in the '80s and '90s was a wacky hodgepodge of neon, edgy punk looks and somber military-style ensembles. But once the dust settled and we had a chance to look back, some of the most unusual and well-executed fashions belonged to Asian designers. » More columns FOOD The cold standard By Sharon Thompson SWTHOMPSON@HERALD-LEADER.COM A cold pasta salad -- the staple at many summer cookouts -- can be a signature dish or something thrown together by a novice. When a host or hostess invites a crowd over for grilled steaks or burgers, guests usually bring the side dishes. Pasta salad is quick and easy, and there are as many variations as there are orzo in a box. » More food HOME & GARDEN Homey sweet home By Sharon Thompson SWTHOMPSON@HERALD-LEADER.COM During the first 10 years that Danville native Matt Evans lived in Lexington, he moved 10 times. When he started searching for a home to buy, he decided he wanted to live in Kenwick. » More Home & Garden FAITH & VALUES CHURCH OF TOMORROW Kid-sized services By Cassandra Fuerst SPECIAL TO THE HERALD-LEADER With just five minutes and counting, upbeat music calls children from their classrooms. They scream in delight as the roller coaster climbs and then dives on the screen in front of the auditorium splashed in blues, greens and yellows. Each new crest brings the first through fifth graders closer to the start of children's worship at NorthEast Christian Church. » More Faith & Values FREE TIME Savor the book and locally grown food By Cheryl Truman HERALD-LEADER BOOKS EDITOR Barbara Kingsolver does not want to remove the Cheetos bag from your hand, necessarily. "I take a lot of care not to tell anybody to do anything," she says in a phone interview. » More Free Time COMMUNITIES Feeding body and soul By Robin Roenker SPECIAL TO THE HERALD-LEADER When Blake Eames first signed on to deliver meals as a Moveable Feast volunteer, she knew the work would be rewarding, but perhaps a little sad. » More Communities HEALTH & FAMILY Girls gone inventive By ");sQ1[118]=new Array("http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/10/prweb456807.htm","Bariatric Surgery Patients Make Necessary Lifestyle Changes with Leade Health","PR:  New health coaching service screens surgery candidates, lowers insurance provider costs Ann Arbor, MI (PRWEB) October 25, 2006 --  Thanks to its constant use by celebrities and the ensuing media coverage, Bariatric Surgery has gained the title of America’s newest “quick fix” for in","007-06-07 Home About Submit Press Release PR Firms Editors/Journalists Search Archives Industry Categories News by Country News by MSA Todays News Browse by Day PR Trackbacks™ ViewNews™ eBook Digests RSS Close Move All Press Releases for October 25, 2006 Subscribe to this News Feed Subscribe to this Podcast Feed Press release distributed in partnership with ... Bariatric Surgery Patients Make Necessary Lifestyle Changes with Leade Health New health coaching service screens surgery candidates, lowers insurance provider costs Ann Arbor, MI (PRWEB) October 25, 2006 -- Thanks to its constant use by celebrities and the ensuing media coverage, Bariatric Surgery has gained the title of America’s newest “quick fix” for individuals with extreme obesity. The number of requests for bariatric surgery doubles each year and has quadrupled since 2000 -- yet many individuals are not equipped to make the necessary lifestyle changes before and after the surgery. In response, Leade Health has announced a new health coaching service tailored for candidates and patients of bariatric surgery. The program works with individuals before and after the surgery, and identifies which candidates are appropriate – and more importantly, who isn’t appropriate, a distinction which can save employers thousands of dollars per individual. With 9 percent of full-time U.S. workers eligible for the surgery, or 29 percent of the obese workforce, Leade coaches help identify people who are ready to make lifestyle changes with their diet and exercise routines. Leade’s role is to identify the people who can handle changing the way they eat and maintain a necessary exercise regime. To insure that only patients with the right mindset are going under the knife, insurance providers have signed on for the unique program, realizing the need for significant ROI and cost savings. “Bariatric surgery is an effective way to treat people with obesity, but not everyone is a good candidate,” said Theresa Radosevich, Vice President for Leade Health. “Leade’s role is to identify the people who can handle changing the way they eat and maintain a necessary exercise regime.” Bariatric surgery candidates must lose five to ten percent of their body weight prior to the surgery, and consistently comply with the coaching program’s guidelines. Patients may not miss more than two health coaching phone sessions. One reason to utilize a bariatric coaching service is the large return on investment. For every dollar spent on the program, a provider can save 30 dollars, Radosevich noted. That one-to-30 ratio is compelling to providers who know that each surgery can cost in the neighborhood of $30,000. With additional costs for those who experience complications during and after surgery, it’s imperative for providers to better screen against those who are likely to fall back into old habits. The new specialty joins Leade’s pioneer health coaching programs that deal with weight management, stress management, tobacco cessation, and cardiovascular health. Radosevich adds that relatively few companies have Leade’s experience in working with cases of extreme obesity. Of the 10,000 patients who have gone through Leade Health’s iCanChange program, 15 percent were determined to have extreme obesity and six percent of those underwent bariatric surgery. Leade’s motivational coaching approach screens for this behavior pattern. Understanding what changes a person is ready to make, rather than dictating to them what changes they should make, empowers the individual. Leade coaches allow the member to create their own ideas and goals to address their obesity problem. This gives them ownership and investment into the program, making them more accountable for their Keywords: PRESS RELEASE ,");sQ1[119]=new Array("http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1733","MEDICARE PROPOSES NEW COVERAGE POLICY FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY PROCEDURES","Media Release from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services","when performed in a facility meeting evidence-based standards for bariatric surgery. Further, in light of recent studies indicating significant surgical risks particularly in seniors aged 65 and over, CMS is proposing the non-coverage of these bariatric procedures. CMS seeks comments on whether and how Medicare may cover these services for Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and over, and support the development of better evidence of the safety and effectiveness of the surgery for Medicare beneficiaries. “This proposed limited coverage for bariatric surgery is part of Medicare’s ongoing commitment to ensure access to the most effective treatment alternatives for its beneficiaries, using the best and latest evidence,” said CMS Administrator Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D. In the United States , more than 60 percent of the population is now classified as overweight or obese. Overweight and obese persons have an increased risk of a number of serious diseases compared to normal weight and waist circumference. Some of the most important, common, and costly co-morbidities include hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, and endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon cancers. Though diet and exercise are the mainstay of treatment, bariatric surgery may be a helpful treatment option for people with extreme obesity whose treatments have been unsuccessful and who have developed health problems from the obesity. CMS is seeking comment on this evidence and its implications for coverage, and for the range of non-elderly patients who would be covered. “While the best proven ‘treatment’ is a nutritious diet and regular exercise, and medical treatments are also available, some beneficiaries may significantly reduce their health risks through surgery,” Dr. McClellan said. “We are seeking public comment on the best way to provide coverage for this surgery, to reduce the complications of obesity while limiting the risks of the surgical treatments.” For the proposed coverage decision, CMS found that the evidence appears adequate to conclude that open and laparoscopicRoux-en-Y gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding produce net health benefits in Medicare beneficiaries under age 65, who have at least one obesity-related health problem and have been previously unsuccessful with medical treatment for their obesity. CMS is seeking comment on this evidence and its implications for coverage, and for the range of non-elderly patients who would be covered. However, based in part on recent evidence on bariatric surgery in seniors that shows elevated risks, CMS is not proposing coverage for patients 65 and older. In particular, a recent study by David R. Flum, Early Mortality Among Medicare Beneficiaries Undergoing Bariatric Surgical Procedures [JAMA. 2005; 294:1903-1908], reported that patients 65 and older had two-to three-fold higher death rates after bariatric surgery compared with younger persons. Based in part on recent evidence on bariatric surgery in seniors shows elevated risks, CMS is not proposing coverage for patients 65 and over. Flum also reported higher death rates among persons over age 75 and among persons whose surgeon had less past experience with the operation. While CMS is not proposing to cover surgery in older beneficiaries, CMS is seeking comment on expanding national coverage of bariatric surgery in the context of clinical trials. This policy approach would be a form of coverage with evidence development (CED). CMS is specifically asking for public comment on coverage of bariatric surgery under CED as well as the proposed decision itself. CMS is also proposing facility criteria, including a credentialing program for surgeons, a review of staff and consultant qualifications, an integrated program for patient care, written procedures for patient consent and adverse event reporting, and appropriate equipment for patient care. CMS is also seeking comment on whether we should expand the facility criteria to also include specific bariatric surgery volume criteria for surgeons and/or facilities. In addition to today’s proposed decision, Medicare has taken other steps to help beneficiaries who are overweight or obese reduce the health risks by addressing obesity. For example, beneficiarie");sQ1[120]=new Array("http://www.nbc5i.com/news/10370205/detail.html","Goverment Hopes To Curb Obesity With Education - News Story - KXAS | Dallas","Goverment Hopes To Curb Obesity With Education","might make a dent in the country's obesity problem. Some people look at nutrition labels and some people don't, but most health experts agree if more people understood what they were eating, they'd likely make better choices. "Most people need help trying to figure out what pieces of information are most important to them," said Mary Hardy, a dietitian with Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth. The Food and Drug Administration launched two online tools to help people understand food labels. One Web site leads viewers though a series of exercises where users can explore the relationship between serving sizes and calories, or figure out how to limit certain nutrients while getting enough of others. It's information some people say they need, and health experts said these online lessons can help. "Learning how to read labels is not going to cure our obesity problem overnight, but it is just one aspect. We need to understand what's in the food we eat, we need to understand what's in our portion sizes," said Hardy. Some critics of these efforts want the government to take bolder steps in the fight against obesity, by requiring obesity warnings on soft drinks, and limiting junk food advertising aimed at children.Copyright 2006 by nbc5i.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 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Click here for the privacy policy, terms of use. Click here for advertising information. See All Internet Broadcasting Sites Site Map Site Map Author: Keywords:");sQ1[121]=new Array("http://wbjournal.com/j/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=829&Itemid=128","www.wbjournal.com - Health insurance: It's the law. Now what?","Worcester Business Journal - The Business News Source for Central Massachusetts and Metrowest.","their coverage just because the state, which set a 33 percent floor for employer contributions to health care premiums and 25 percent employee participation, says, in effect, that they can. What Tsotsis and others are watching closely is the effect on smaller companies as a result of the combination of the small-group and individual insurance markets, set to occur Jan. 1, 2007. Individuals, whose premiums are more expensive than the premiums of small groups, will be buying the same product. Any adverse impact on pricing as a result of the combination will affect businesses in the small-group category. Whether it will be positive or negative, no one knows for sure, Tsotsis says. Trying to keep the playing field level "We’re afraid that if some of the small group products keep increasing in price because of [the combination of individual and small-group markets], you may be insuring the uninsured, but you may be uninsuring the insured," Tsotsis says. Beth Helenius, senior director, business products of Worcester-based Fallon Community Health Plan Inc., which had about 156,000 members as of second quarter 2006, says the Worcester-based HMO is working hard to ensure that the programs it makes available on July 1, 2007 will not increase the costs to small business as a result of the merger of the two markets. Currently, she says, a special commission is evaluating the collaboration of all Mass. insurers, to minimize any potential increases to small-business premiums. Insurers will be bidding on the combined market effective this January. "We are taking this very, very seriously," Helenius says. Individuals and businesses, she says, will need to start paying more attention to which insurance packages align with their interests. She sees a move toward premium reduction by the purchase of high-deductible plans supplemented by an offsetting measure, to which they would add a supplemental savings plan. Health Savings Accounts, which have been growing in acceptance across the country, are one such product (see related feature, page 22). But because Massachusetts is still an HMO-rich state, their acceptance has lagged here, says Tsotsis. He cites an instance in which his company worked for two years to put such a plan in place to cover 4,000 eligible people, but only 100 signed up for it. Kira Coopersmith isn’t totally convinced of the appeal and usability of Health Savings Accounts. She’s president of Benefits Management Group, a Taunton-based benefits company that markets in Massachusetts and other states. Health Savings Accounts "[are] coming more rapidly than we ever suspected," she says, citing HMOs doing business in Massachusetts, such as Tufts, United Healthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mass., which have built high-deductible options into their plans. Sovereign Bank is taking a proactive role in getting into the Health Savings Account business. John Merrill, market president, commercial banking for Sovereign Massachusetts, cites a Congressional analysis that predicts 40 million Health Savings Accounts will be established over the next decade, worth about $75 billion in assets. The accounts are not meant to be investment vehicles, he says, but rather to be revolving funds which need periodic replenishment. The pretax aspect of health-care coverage will take some getting used to, says Coopersmith. She thinks the new state law is a positive step in lowering the pool of adverse selection, in which only the people most likely to have high-cost medical needs sign up for health care coverage. "Getting and remaining healthy is now going to be a very big aspect of the overall cost of insurance," she says. The catch: you need a five- to 10-year plan in place to measure results. Pay the fine or buy insurance? The new state law isn’t one-size-fits-all universal health insurance. It will take many forms, in a wide array of insurance products supposedly tailored to people’s means. Many of them haven’t been created yet, but they’ve got to be ready by next July 1, when mandatory individual health coverage becomes the law in Massachusetts. Gary Goodhile of the Sullivan Group says that the state’s insurance carriers generally want much higher levels of participation in insurance plans than the state minimum of 33 percent. At this point, participation levels are indeed much ");sQ1[122]=new Array("http://www.drkoop.com/newsdetail/93/8015680.html","Dr. Koop - Overweight Couples Have More Problems Conceiving","Health News - Overweight Couples Have More Problems Conceiving","Researchers also looked at couples in which the woman had more than one pregnancy and had a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 or more. They found on average every kilogram gained in weight added an extra 2.84 days to the waiting time. And if a woman was overweight or obese before her first pregnancy (BMI of 25 or above) and either lost weight or maintained the same weight until the next pregnancy, every kilogram she lost reduced the waiting time to pregnancy by an average of 5.5 days. "These findings indicate a causal association between BMI and fertility," says researcher Cecilia Ramlau-Hansen. "In addition, for underweight women in this group, we saw a tendency for the time to pregnancy to decrease if the women gained weight, when compared to the first pregnancy. This is in line with earlier studies that show being underweight can adversely affect a woman's fertility." Researchers warn there could be a serious health problem if more research supports these findings and the obesity epidemic continues. This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/. SOURCE: Human Reproduction, 2007;23 Related LinksFrom DrKoop's partner site on breast cancer, MyBreastCancerNetwork.com. VIDEO: Chemo booster cuts treatment time by two months SYMPTOMS: Learn what to look for and what the symptoms mean PROGNOSIS: Early detection and new treatments improve survival rates Get up to the minute Health Information and News. Sign up for Dr.Koop Newsletters Now Visit Our Health Centers * All Health Centers * Acne Addictions AIDS/HIV Alcohol Abuse Allergies Alternative Medicine Alzheimer's Arthritis Asthma Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) Backache Bipolar Affective Disorder Birth Control Blood Blood Pressure Bone/Joint/Tendon Bowel Brain Breast cancer Cancer Cerebral Palsy Cholesterol Cramps Crohn's Disease Cysts Dental/Oral Depression Diabetes Diet, Fitness, Looks Disabled/Special Needs Drug Abuse Ear/Nose/Throat Eating/Appetite Eczema Encephalitis Eye/Vision Fatigue Fever Flu Food Poisoning Foot Gallbladder Gastrointestinal Genetic/Congenital GERD/Heartburn Hair Loss Hair/Scalp Headache Hearing Heart Disease, Stroke Heat/Sunstroke Hepatitis Hernia Herpes High Blood Pressure Hormonal Immune Disorders Immunizations/Vaccines Impotence Incontinence/Bladder Infections Injuries Kidney/Urinary Kids Learning Disabilities Liver Lung Cancer Men Menopause, Postmenopause Migraine Mobility/Balance Multiple Sclerosis Muscle Neural Nosebleeds Pain Parasites Pituitary PMS Pregnancy Prostate Cancer Prostate Disorders Psoriasis Psychological Raynaud's Disease Respiratory Reye Syndrome Rheumatoid Arthritis Schizophrenia Seniors Sensory Sex & Relationships Sexually Transmitted Disease Skin Sleep Speech Disorders Spinal Thyroid Trauma Weight Loss Women Yeast Infections News Health Encyclopedia In-Depth Reports Check a S");sQ1[123]=new Array("http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/gooddeeds/stories/DN-GOODDEED_25met.ART.West.Edition1.29745c3.html","| Local News: Good Deeds","DallasNews.com is the official website for The Dallas Morning News newspaper, Dallas’ trusted source for DFW area local news, sports, weather, and more.","8226;Employer Lo8226;Sell a Home •Sell a Car •Sell Stuff •Post a Job •Sign Up for Special Offers Your Health Matters •Dr. Barker - Bariatric Surgery •Dr. Melisa Christian - Cosmetic, Laser, &amp General Dentistry (Advertisement) Sorority putting its foot down in fight vs. obesity N. Texas chapters plan walking program 12:00 AM CST on Thursday, January 25, 2007 By JENNI BEAUCHAMP / The Dallas Morning News jbeauchamp@dallasnews.com Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority members are getting their walking shoes ready. Members from seven local chapters in North Texas have formed a walking program to increase physical fitness and provide fellowship. "Since there are seven chapters, we don't all know each other. So this will also afford us the opportunity for fellowship," said Sherel Riley, president of the Alpha Xi Omega chapter, the oldest in North Texas area and founded in 1929. Starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, more than 1,000 AKA sorority members will hit NorthPark Center not for the sales, but to kick off an 18-month challenge to collectively lose 1 million pounds and walk 1,908 miles. The sorority has more than 200,000 members participating in the challenge and plans to meet the goal by the organization's 100th birthday in July 2008. "We just want people to be more conscious about the obesity in the African-American community," said Chelle Wilson, president of the Tau Rho Omega chapter. Ms. Wilson said the free event is open to anyone who wants to participate. "The entire Dallas community is encouraged," she said. "Obesity crosses over every community, and it increases each year." Ms. Wilson said the program will help people get healthy. "The profit would be a healthier community," said Ms. Wilson, who also serves as the south central regional representative for the International Program Committee. "You only get one body; it's never too late to start." The idea for the program came after AKA president Barbara A. McKinzie decided the sorority would join the challenge made by the Chicago Defender, a newspaper that serves the black community in that city. Now the sorority says it alone will meet the challenge by its 100th birthday celebration next year. Ms. Riley hopes people will maintain a healthy lifestyle long after the walk is over. "We can work collaboratively to make positive differences," said Ms. Riley. "If we can get the public involved, then maybe they will adopt this lifestyle. "Our goal is to keep people excited. We will probably meet quarterly and recharge people's spirits," Ms. Wilson said. Print E-mail this article Forums Submit a news tip Subscribe to newspaper RSS News on your wireless E-Mail newsletters Desktop News Advertisement More Good Deeds Free calls keep troops in touch More Good Deeds Most Read Stories Updated Thu 6.7.07 Charges dropped in Internet sex-sting cases Girl, missing for a year, found locked in home's hidden room Ex-deputy executed for woman's slaying Zero chance: Rangers lose, 10-0 High school arms top Rangers' list Most E-mailed Stories Seniors hitting the 'brain gyms' Workout: From beer belly to six-pack Sonic offeri");sQ1[124]=new Array("http://www.sptimes.com/2007/01/29/Pasco/Nation_neglects_its_h.shtml","Pasco: Nation neglects its health","Tampa Bay's news, shopping and information source brought to you by the St. Petersburg Times and tbt*.","Seminoles | Blog UM Hurricanes Preps Hernando County Hillsborough County Pinellas County Pasco County Blog (all counties) Opinion John Romano Gary Shelton Recreation Outdoors Poker Blog Fishing Blog Blogs Bucs Beat The Heater Lightning Strikes USF Bulletin Gator Report Seminole Report Preps Two Cents - NEW Entertainment Art & Theater Events/Attractions Books Games & Comics Party Photos Headlines by Email Dining/Food Restaurant Listings Restaurant Reviews Recipes Blog Bars & Clubs Bar Listings TV/Media Media Blog Local TV Listings Movies Reviews Showtimes Coming Soon Movies Blog - NEW Music Pop Music Blog '80s Blog Opinion Steve Persall (Movies) Sean Daly (Music) Julie Garisto (Local Music) Lennie Bennett (Art) John Fleming (Arts) Eric Deggans (TV/Media) Colette Bancroft (Books) Laura Reiley (Restaurants) Blogs Stuck in the '80s The Juice Pop Life Ante Up! 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Not necessarily The queen of soaps comes clean 'A good project, but is it Tarpon Springs?' 8 finalists chosen for expressway job Healthier fast food chain growing Pasco 'Sorry' surprises School Board Jews bake a heavenly gift with reverence Punch line for 'sad' billboard soon to come Some reasons are just weird Tangy flavors Nation neglects its health Park taking away from nature, 1/29 Environmental groups Civic/Fraternal groups Coming attractions Ethnic associations Health notes Multimedia Opinion The once and future promise Bill Maxwell invites discussion on his column about teaching. Tampabay.com blog Tightlines Your online fishing hole. More blogs Print Email story Comment Email editor News | Pasco Fill out this form to email this article to a friend Your name Your email Friend's name Friend's email Your message Guest Column Nation neglects its health By DR. MARK J. YACHT Published January 29, 2007 ADVERTISEMENT Our health care delivery system needs immediate resuscitation. No other industrialized nation, South Africa excluded, has failed to provide needed health care for their citizens. Such a failure on the part of our elected officials for so many years is unacceptable. After all, what is the United States but a large community whose first priority should be its own welfare? More than 20,000 citizens will die this year due to lack of health coverage and barriers to quality care. Not quantified are millions that suffer with untreated hypertension, heart disease and diabetes, to name a few of our debilitating chronic conditions. Current data suggests that only 55 percent of adults get recommended health care. Add to that obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and preventable injury, and you have the makings of a progressively unhealthy population. Longevity, quality of life, and days lost at work fall victim to a failing health system that is touted as the best in the world - for those that can afford it. Some 47-million (and growing) people cannot, along with millions more who are underinsured. The lack of health coverage forces many to make fundamental life choices like paying rent or visiting the pharmacy, buying school supplies for children or going to the doctor, or waiting for treatment and risking further complications from acute illness. One out of five people in this country lack health coverage and are thereby compromised for their health needs. More than 9-million children (12 percent) in the United States are uninsured despite the State Children's Health Program, or SHiP, initiative to get our nation's kids health care; 733,000 (17 percent) of those uninsured children reside in Florida. Some 37-million Americans, 21 percent of the adult population age 19 to 65, are uninsured, including 2.8-million in Florida. The uninsured and underinsured affect all sectors of the community. Twenty community hospitals have closed since 1995 due to insolvency, along with 21 psychiatric hospitals. Uncompensated Florida hospital care exceeded $1.7-billion in 2004. Health care costs are unstable and rising due to increasing bad debt. The community pays for this burden with skyrocketing health care bills. Fifteen cents of every dollar spent in the United States relates to health care. Yet the system remains inefficient, fragmented, and burdened with administrative costs. Sixty percent of emergency room visits could be treated in a doctor's office. Also festering is the lack of mental health services, dental, and eye care for uninsured and underinsured citizens. This ugly growing problem remains unfixed, with hollow rhetoric instead of effective solutions. What has been recommended? My favorite non-fix is Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs. Tell a family with a mortgage, two car payments, and kids in school that they have to put their limited dollars aside for their health care - tax free! Perhaps the total family income is $50,000 a year. If that family put all their income in such an account they might buy a few days in the ICU for one illness, or one surgery, or one heart attack. Sadly, the Florida Medical Association and American Medical Association advocated this approach. Try telling a low-wage worker to start a Health Savings Account. What about the network of free clinics and indigent care centers? They are overwhelmed and are typically not funded to pay for needed referral services to specialists or hospitalization. Many are helped by these facilities but too many are left behind for the full range of needed health care. State-by-state fixes result in continued inefficiency and fragmentation. Lack of health coverage is a national problem and requires a national policy. Medicare-for-All could work and was proposed by retired U.S. Rep. Sam Gibbons. The idea ran afoul of lobbyists. The favorite cry is that government can't do anything right. Not so; government can do many things very well and can do them efficiently. Problems start when programs are seriously underfunded. Medicare-for-All is back on the table. Insurer and government pools to cover the uninsured is not doable because there are too many uninsured. Employer health insurance mandates worked well in Hawaii. Those underwriting health insurance have to follow consistent guidelines including sharing a risk pool with government to cover the unemployed and other uninsured. This could work. Immediately upon its implementation, efforts were made to assure no other state would adopt this policy. Corporate influence? One payer system calls for adding another paycheck deduction and cover all employees. This takes the burden from industry and will assure at least 90 percent coverage. The others could be protected with state, federal and private pools. This is my choice. A national health plan? Contrary to those who beat their chests that this would be socialized medicine, it could be operated through private insurers. The private practice of medicine would be protected. This is my second choice. Keep it simple. Pharmaceuticals must also be included. Whatever the plan, if insurers aren't held to strict consistent rules of coverage, no amount of political chest-beating will give us successful universal health care for the American people. Dr. Marc J. Yacht is the retiring director of the Pasco Health Department. [Last modified January 28, 2007, 23:49:37] Share your thoughts on this story First Name (only) Location Comment (May be published online and/or in print) You have 250 characters left to comment. Comments on this article by James 02/09/07 07:10 AM It is truly a sad day when even one of our citizens passes away due to the lack of medical coverage, when our country can spend untold billions of dollars to assist the rest of the world. Our politicians in Washington should hang their heads in shame by James 02/09/07 07:10 AM It is truly a sad day when even one of our citizens passes away due to the lack of medical coverage, when our country can spend untold billions of dollars to assist the rest of the world. Our politicians in Washington should hang their heads in shame by");sQ1[125]=new Array("http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=331965&Category=16","cantonrep.com","Local news and sports for Stark County, Ohio.","bi to aid drug probe• COLLEGE ATHLETICS: No show? Athletes pay• French Open: Nadal closer to title• H.S. ATHLETICS: Ex-principal indicted• AUTO RACING: Drivers duel in dirt• FRENCH OPEN TENNIS• COLLEGE BASEBALL• NHL playoffs• WNBA• Soccer• TV-radio listingsYesterday's Headlines• Aikman fights migraines, says concussions not a problem• ALL-STAR GAME VOTING• AMERICAN LEAGUE REPORT• MLB NOTEBOOK• Baseball box scores• NATIONAL LEAGUE REPORT• AL LEADERS• Baseball history: On this date• Minor League standings• NL leaders• Baseball report: MLB Draft live on ESPN2• NFL REPORT• Tennis: Williams bows out in France• RACING: Akron will bail out derby• NBA: Van Gundy to Magic?• HORSE RACING: Ruffian’s jockey files suit• COLLEGE SPORTS: Arizona forces Game 3• FRENCH OPEN TENNIS• COLLEGE BASEBALL• Football• NHL playoffs• Soccer• WNBA• TV-radio listings Advertisement IOWA CITY, Iowa Heavy tackles and 300-pound nose guards are common in pro and college football. Now a study shows the trend toward beefier, overweight linemen is emerging at the high school level. Researchers at Iowa State University found nearly half of the offensive and defensive linemen playing on Iowa high school teams qualify as overweight, and one in 10 meet medical standards for severe obesity. "These are 15- and 16-year-old boys that have a weight and body-mass ... that as they enter adulthood puts many at a very adverse health condition," said Dr. Joe Eisenmann, co-author of the study and a professor in pediatric exercise physiology at Iowa State. The study appears in today's Journal of the American Medical Association. For years at the pro and college level, teams have sought bigger, stronger linemen who are harder to budge. Players have responded by adding weight and muscle mass, making the 300-pound lineman fairly common, sports medical experts said. Recently, however, the NFL and its players have taken greater note of health risks for heavy athletes because of two high-profile player deaths and a 2005 study, which concluded that 56 percent of NFL players fit medical standards for obesity. The size, bulk and ever-widening girth of the pros apparently has not gone unnoticed by those dreaming of one day playing at the next level. "Sure I look at college players and pro players a lot and size them up," said Chad Wilson, a junior who started at center last season for Iowa City West High School. He wants to add at least another 20 pounds before next season. Pressure to get bigger, stronger, heavier may come from parents and coaches, but there is also a desire from within, players said. "You want to have the weight to be able to compete in the conference we're in," said Thomas Reynolds, a junior linebacker hoping to switch to the defensive line next season. The study's researchers began by gathering height and weight data of 3,683 varsity linemen available from rosters from all classes of Iowa high school football teams. They used that data to calculate a body-mass index, the same tool used for the NFL study. Of the players analyzed, 28 percent were deemed at risk of being overweight and 45 percent fit the standards for being overweight, including 9 percent who met adult severe obesity standards. Researchers believe the study is one of the first - and most comprehensive - appraisals of obesity in high school football. "We don't suspect, though, that Iowa is unique in any way," said Kelly Laurson, a graduate assistant and co-author of the study. "I suspect that states with an even richer high school football tradition, like Florida and Texas, may have an even bigger problem." But the researchers and sports medicine experts acknowledge the study is not perfect. The roster data was obtained in the preseason before athletes had a chance to get in shape, and the BMI formula can, in some cases, be deceptive, they said. Dr. Edward Wojtys, an orthopedic surgeon and chief at the University of Michigan Sports Medicine Service, said the BMI fails to account for muscle mass and lean tissue and is less accurate than more sophisticated measuring techniques. "On the other hand, there is still an obvious and growing problem of obesity among football linemen," Wojtys said. "The rules have changed in ways that favor larger and larger-sized bodies rather than smaller, athletic ones. It's not a good trend and one we should be concerned about." Health e");sQ1[126]=new Array("http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16876565/","Diet, exercise take off equal pounds  - Diet & Nutrition - MSNBC.com","Eating less and exercising more are equally good at helping take off the pounds, U.S. researchers said in a study that challenges many of the popular tenets of the multibillion dollar diet and fitness industry.","to evidence that adding muscle mass does not somehow boost metabolism and help dieters take off even more weight. "It's all about the calories," said Dr. Eric Ravussin of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, part of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. "So long as the energy deficit is the same, body weight, fat weight and abdominal fat will all decrease in the same way." Ravussin said the study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, is one of the few done under controlled conditions that can actually demonstrate what happens to a human body while dieting and exercising. Fewer calories for a longer life? Ravussin's team has been testing volunteers for another reason — to see if taking in fewer calories helps people live longer. Strict diets have been shown to help animals from worms to dogs live longer, but it takes longer to study monkeys and humans. Interactive • Find out how many calories you burn They tested 24 people, 12 who ate a calorie-restricted diet, and 12 who dieted and also exercised five times a week for six months. The dieters ate 25 percent less than normal, while the exercisers reduced their calorie intake by 12.5 percent and increased their physical activity to lose an extra 12.5 percent in calories. Another 10 volunteers acted as controls. All food was provided by the university in carefully measured portions for most of the study. The volunteers in both groups lost about 10 percent of their body weight, 24 percent of their fat mass and 27 percent of their abdominal visceral fat. Visceral fat is packed in between the internal organs and is considered the most dangerous type of fat, linked with heart disease and diabetes. The distribution of the fat on the body was not altered by either approach — helping prove that there is no such thing as "spot reducing," Ravussin said in a telephone interview. This suggests that "individuals are genetically programmed for fat storage in a particular pattern and that this programming cannot easily be overcome," he added. Exercise is still crucial Ravussin has published other studies that also dispute the idea that exercise builds muscle that helps people lose weight. "If anything, highly trained people are highly efficient, so they burn fewer calories at rest," Ravussin said. Dieting alone also did not appear to cause the volunteers to lose muscle mass along with fat, Ravussin's team found. "There is a concept that if you exercise, you are going to lose less of your muscle," he said. But his team found no evidence this is true. Click for related content Why those last 5 pounds are so sticky Slurp your dinner for healthy weight loss Ravussin bel");sQ1[127]=new Array("http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA020807.obesityasthma.KENS.64175f37.html","MySA.com: Metro | State","Stories about San Antonio","scientists testing potential Lassa fever vaccines on marmosets NISD needs 100 bus drivers Most E-mailed Disgruntled Ryland homeowner turns Internet into soapbox Some Live Oak residents say their new homes are falling apart Video: Some Live Oak residents say their new homes are falling apart Video: Researchers say experimental cancer drug shows great promise Mentally ill man's case may be an example for the future View: 24 Hour | 7 Day David Hendricks: Insurance companies, doctors flock to Texas Underappreciated Spurs have stood the test of time Autism bill could save parents lots of money Disgruntled Ryland homeowner turns Internet into soapbox Medical experts, industry leaders debate effects of tanning beds View: 24 Hour | 7 Day Metro | State Sponsored By Study says obesity leads to asthma Web Posted: 02/08/2007 08:01 PM CST Wendy Rigby KENS 5 Eyewitness News Pulmonary function tests are a mainstay of managing patients with asthma. Doctors at Audie Murphy VA Hospital are seeing an increasing number of people with the disease, and many of them are overweight. "And what we found in our study, that 58 percent of adults who have asthma in this region are obese. And unfortunately, 28 percent of children with asthma in our area are obese," said Jay Peters, a pulmonologist at the University of Texas Health Science Center. That mirrors the results of a study published by the National Jewish Research Center in Denver . The study shows being overweight puts you at 50 percent greater risk of developing asthma, and if you're obese, your risk is two-fold. "So, we feel pretty strongly that obesity may be a major factor in either precipitating asthma, or causing asthma not to get better," Peters said. The new study projects that excess weight may actually cause more than 250,000 new asthma cases each year in the United States. And most asthma patients need hundreds of dollars worth of medications every month. More coverage • KENS video: Study says obesity leads to asthma Though the reasons aren't clear, scientists believe obesity itself causes an inflammatory state in the body, contributing the airway constriction that is the hallmark of the breathing disorder. Animal models support this theory. Lab studies show mice that are overfed tend to develop much more severe asthma and when they lose weight they get better. So what's the best advice Peters has for his patients? "In order to minimize their asthma and improve their quality of lif");sQ1[128]=new Array("http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149193152285&path=!news&s=1045855934842","inRich - Page Not Found","","Keyword Search Site Home News Sports Entertainment/Living Shop/Classifieds Jobs Homes Cars Weather Obituaries Opinion Services/Contact The page you requested cannot be found. The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable. Please try the following: • If you typed the page address in the Address bar, make sure that it is spelled correctly. • Open the www.inrich.com home page and look for links to the information you want. • Use the navigation bar on the left to find the link you are looking for. • Click the Back button to try another link. Below is a sitemap of links that you may have bookmarked. Classified Search Business News Health/Science Search for Jobs Politics Games Search for Homes Police Beat Advertise Search Apartments Flair (Now Enter");sQ1[129]=new Array("http://media.www.dailycollegian.com/media/storage/paper874/news/2007/02/12/News/Trends.In.HighRisk.Pregnancies.Increase-2712310.shtml","Trends in high-risk pregnancies increase - News","The Daily Collegian, a college media publication.","Associated Press Issue date: 2/12/07 Section: News PrintEmail Page 1 of 2 next > High-risk pregnancies are on the rise in the United States and may be more common now than at any other time since modern obstetric care became available. Why? More fortysomething moms are having babies, and epidemics of diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure are causing pregnancy and birth complications. But in this otherwise troubling trend is also some good news: a small but growing number of women are successfully having children despite life-threatening conditions that once made a safe pregnancy almost inconceivable. Exact numbers are not available, but doctors say that tens of thousands of organ transplant recipients, breast cancer survivors, women with heart defects and even women with the AIDS virus have decided to risk childbearing in the last several years. "These people define a whole new era of pregnancy for us," said Temple University's Dr. Vincent Armenti, who runs a registry that tracks births to transplant patients. "We have to change our mindset about the perfect pregnancy," he said. Women should be given advice based on solid research "instead of an emotional feeling that some people just shouldn't have a baby." Births to women 35 and older are soaring. And many complications are becoming so routine that nurse midwives can manage them instead of sending women to high-risk care specialists. Doctors around the country say they are treating far more of these risky cases than they did a decade ago. "Patients are getting older, so by definition, they're higher-risk. The diabetes rate is going through the roof, so that's high-risk. More people with high blood pressure are getting pregnant. The list goes on and on," leaving fewer women considered low-risk, said Dr. Jacques Moritz, director of gynecology at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. Dr. Mary D'Alton, the Columbia University Medical Center obstetrics chief who recently delivered twins to a 59-year-old woman, has replaced the term "high-risk" with a 1-to-10 scale. Continued... Page 1 of 2 next > Article Tools Share: Facebook Blogger del.icio.us digg newsvine Subscribe: My Yahoo! Google Be the first to comment on this story Name: (required) Email: (required) NOTE: Email address will not be published Website: Notify me of followup comments via e-mail Email notify will not work because you are not currently logged in. Click here to quickly login or create a free account. Type yo");sQ1[130]=new Array("http://sev.prnewswire.com/food-beverages/20070212/CGM03612022007-1.html","National Pork Board :: New Study With Lean Pork Reveals Protein's Power to Preserve Lean Body Mass During Weight Loss"," Reducing daily caloric intake is typically the first approach that dieters take to shed those unwanted pounds. However, a new study released today in the journal Obesity found that including protein from lean sources of pork in your diet could help you retain more lean body mass, which includes muscle, while losing weight.(1)","consuming a higher-protein diet helped retain the women's sense of satiety or fullness after meals. The women on the higher protein diet rated themselves more positively in terms of overall mood and feelings of pleasure during dieting," said Campbell, "which could help dieters stay true to their weight loss plans longer." The researchers tracked the participants' food intake, body weight and composition, and feelings of fullness throughout the study to compare the effect of the two different diets on these outcomes. "While previous studies have evaluated the impact higher-protein diets have on a weight-loss program, this is the first study to use pork as the only source of meat," said Ceci Snyder, MS, RD, assistant vice president of consumer marketing for the National Pork Board. "We know consumers may be surprised to learn that pork is a lean protein choice that can help you achieve your weight loss goals. In fact, there are six cuts of pork that meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture's guidelines for 'lean,' with less than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat and 95 milligrams of cholesterol per 3-ounce serving." The study also concluded that a person's weight before dieting might play a role in the amount of lean body tissue lost on higher- versus normal-protein diets. The preservation of lean body mass was more pronounced in the pre-obese women compared with the obese women. The pre-obese group lost 2.6 pounds of lean body mass compared to 6.4 pounds of lean body mass lost by the obese women. Choosing Lean Sources of Protein "One of the biggest struggles I hear about with respect to dieting is the need for meal satisfaction. When individuals lack satiety or the feeling of fullness, more often then not they'll feel deprived and overeat," said Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD. "Eating a variety of lean protein foods can help dieters stay on track." Pork also packs a significant amount of nutrients in every lean portion. A 3-ounce serving of pork tenderloin is an "excellent" source of protein, thiamin, vitamin B6, phosphorus and niacin, and a "good" source of riboflavin, potassium and zinc, yet contributes only 6 percent of the calories in a 2,000 calorie diet. "When increasing the amount of protein you eat, it's important to make lean choices, such as pork tenderloin. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, pork tenderloin contains the same amount of fat and slightly less calories than the same size serving of skinless chicken breast(2), often a welcomed surprise for many dieters," says Zelman. "To find the leaner cuts of pork, I encourage my clients to look for the word 'loin' on the label, such as 'loin chop' or 'tenderloin'," added Zelman. For additional information on the study and pork recipes, visit TheOtherWhiteMeat.com. This research was funded by the National Pork Board. (1) Leidy H, Carnell N, Mattes R, Campbell W. Higher protein intake preserves lean mass and satiety with");sQ1[131]=new Array("http://www.southflorida.com/sfe-sfp-help-overweight-kids,0,279561.story","National Pork Board :: New Study With Lean Pork Reveals Protein's Power to Preserve Lean Body Mass During Weight Loss"," Reducing daily caloric intake is typically the first approach that dieters take to shed those unwanted pounds. However, a new study released today in the journal Obesity found that including protein from lean sources of pork in your diet could help you retain more lean body mass, which includes muscle, while losing weight.(1)","Because muscle burns more calories, the finding is important in long-term weight control. "In addition to helping preserve lean body mass during weight loss, consuming a higher-protein diet helped retain the women's sense of satiety or fullness after meals. The women on the higher protein diet rated themselves more positively in terms of overall mood and feelings of pleasure during dieting," said Campbell, "which could help dieters stay true to their weight loss plans longer." The researchers tracked the participants' food intake, body weight and composition, and feelings of fullness throughout the study to compare the effect of the two different diets on these outcomes. "While previous studies have evaluated the impact higher-protein diets have on a weight-loss program, this is the first study to use pork as the only source of meat," said Ceci Snyder, MS, RD, assistant vice president of consumer marketing for the National Pork Board. "We know consumers may be surprised to learn that pork is a lean protein choice that can help you achieve your weight loss goals. In fact, there are six cuts of pork that meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture's guidelines for 'lean,' with less than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat and 95 milligrams of cholesterol per 3-ounce serving." The study also concluded that a person's weight before dieting might play a role in the amount of lean body tissue lost on higher- versus normal-protein diets. The preservation of lean body mass was more pronounced in the pre-obese women compared with the obese women. The pre-obese group lost 2.6 pounds of lean body mass compared to 6.4 pounds of lean body mass lost by the obese women. Choosing Lean Sources of Protein "One of the biggest struggles I hear about with respect to dieting is the need for meal satisfaction. When individuals lack satiety or the feeling of fullness, more often then not they'll feel deprived and overeat," said Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD. "Eating a variety of lean protein foods can help dieters stay on track." Pork also packs a significant amount of nutrients in every lean portion. A 3-ounce serving of pork tenderloin is an "excellent" source of protein, thiamin, vitamin B6, phosphorus and niacin, and a "good" source of riboflavin, potassium and zinc, yet contributes only 6 percent of the calories in a 2,000 calorie diet. "When increasing the amount of protein you eat, it's important to make lean choices, such as pork tenderloin. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, pork tenderloin contains the same amount of fat and slightly less calories than the same size serving of skinless chicken breast(2), often a welcomed surprise for many dieters," says Zelman. "To find the leaner cuts of pork, I encourage my clients to look for the word 'loin' on the label, such as 'loin chop' or 'tenderloin'," added Zelman. For additional information on the study and pork recipes, visit TheOther");sQ1[132]=new Array("http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770126068","CITIZEN-TIMES.com: Unable to display article","CITIZEN-TIMES.com provides local and breaking news, entertainment, sports, and much more for Western North Carolina.","Shopping Homes Movies Local Web Info Home Local News Your News National / World Obituaries Sports Outdoors Business Living Opinion / Editorial Staff Columnists Entertainment Blogs Podcasts Health & Fitness Mobile/PDA Site RSS Feeds Technology Travel Lottery Subscriber Services Customer Service Search Asheville Unable to display article This article could not be displayed. Error: Invalid story key (B0,20070607,,70604025,AR). Advertisement Quick Links to Other Headlines » Medford exit audit points to mishandled and missing evidence (Jun. 7, 2007)» Full speed ahead - Fixed gear cycling gaining ground in Asheville (Jun. 7, 2007)» Reynolds RB commits to ECU (Jun. 6, 2007)» New parkway visitors center built with ‘green’ features (Jun. 6, 2007)» Polio hit Asheville hard in 1948 and inspired a response (Jun. 6, 2007)» Class of ’07 wraps it up (Jun. 6, 2007)» Head East (Jun. 6, 2007)» Beat the heat in style (Jun. 6, 2007)» For one child, summer camp is more a tale of misadventure (Jun. 6, 2007)» Book paints great Cataloochee portrait (Jun. 6, 2007) Reader Toolbox • Subscribe to the Asheville Citi");sQ1[133]=new Array("http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=62142","Calcium Lowers Cardiovascular Risk In People On A Weight Loss Program","UniversitĂ© Laval Faculty of Medicine researchers have discovered that taking calcium and vitamin D supplements while on a weight loss program lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. Researcher","Health News - health news your health opinions forum contact Archive Search advanced searches >> Medical Dictionary full medical dictionary Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News Useful Links Calcium Lowers Cardiovascular Risk In People On A Weight Loss ProgramMain Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News Article Date: 05 Feb 2007 - 16:00 PDT | email to a friend | printer friendly | view or write opinions | Article Also Appears In Cardiovascular / Cardiology Nutrition / Diet rate this article UniversitĂ© Laval Faculty of Medicine researchers have discovered that taking calcium and vitamin D supplements while on a weight loss program lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers Geneviève C Major, Francine Alarie, Jean DorĂ©, Sakouna Phouttama, and Angelo Tremblay published the details of their findings in the January issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The scientists enrolled 63 women with a body mass index over 30 on a 15-week low-calorie diet. At the start of the experiment, the women's daily calcium intake was 700 mg on average, well below the 1,000 mg recommendation. "This is nothing exceptional," points out Dr. Angelo Tremblay, who led the study. "More than 50% of women don't get the daily recommended dose." In addition to the low-calorie diet, participants were given daily tablets containing either a placebo or 1,200 mg of calcium with vitamin D "to facilitate calcium absorption," adds Dr. Tremblay. At the end of the 15-week period, researchers observed greater drops in LDL (bad cholesterol) and increases in HDL (good cholesterol) in the calcium-plus-vitamin D group than in the placebo group. Researchers also observed that the amount of weight lost during the 15 weeks did not seem to have an impact on the improvement seen in cholesterol levels. This suggests that calcium and vitamin D supplementation might also lower cardiovascular risk in women with low calcium intake as it does with women on a diet. The authors conclude that prescribing calcium and vitamin D supplements should be considered as a component of weight loss programs aimed at people with insufficient calcium intake. Professor Tremblay and his team have been studying the relationship between calcium and obesity for the past six years. Their first results, published in 2003, revealed that people with low calcium intake have a higher fat percentage, wider waists, and higher bad cholesterol levels than people whose calcium intake is moderate or sufficient. A second study, spanning over six years, showed that people who reduced their dairy consumption during that period gained weight, and saw an increase in body fat percentage and waist size. ### This study was funded by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare. Information: Angelo Tremblay Faculty of Medicine UniversitĂ© Laval Contact: Jean-François HuppĂ© UniversitĂ© Laval < back to top - View the latest Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News. - Back to latest medical news headlines. - Get medical news headlines weekly with our e-mail newsletter. - Huge database of hospitals world wide . Contact Our Medical News Editors For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form. Please send any medical news or health news press releases to: Back to top Back to front page List of All Medical Articles Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions © 2007 MediLexicon International Ltd Web design by Alastair Hazell from Bexhill, UK News Categories Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness Abortion Acid Reflux / GERD ADHD Aid / Disasters Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs Allergy Alzheimer's / Dementia Anxiety / Stress Arthritis Autism Bio-terrorism / Terrorism Biology / Biochemistry Bipolar Bird Flu / Avian Flu Blood / Hematology Body Aches Bones / Orthopaedics Breast Cancer Cancer / Oncology Cardiovascular / Cardiology Caregivers / Homecare Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine Cholesterol CJD / vCJD / Mad Cow Disease Cleft Palate Clinical Trials / Drug Trials Colorectal Cancer Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine Compliance Conferenc");sQ1[134]=new Array("http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=6041170&nav=3w6r","14 WFIE, The Tri-State's News Leader: TV Habits Have No Impact on Teen Exercise","","ListingsHoroscopesAriesTaurusGeminiCancerLeoVirgoLibraScorpioSagittariusCapricornAquariusPiscesTri-State Lottery Results14wfie.com WebcamsJudy Lyden, Child DevelopmentThe Roughest Part of Day Care...Expert CommentaryThe Key to Learning is Play...Expert CommentaryExpert Commentary: Tips for Getting Your Child to EatEarly Childhood Development ExplainedThe 2nd Year of Life...Expert CommentaryThree Year Olds...Expert Commentary4 Year Olds....Expert CommentaryPre-School or Day Care? 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New research suggests that the amount of time teens spend watching TV bears no relationship to their levels of physical activity. The finding, which was published in the February issue of Pediatrics, runs counter to a commonly held couch-potato theory --embraced by many obesity-prevention programs -- that the more time children spend in front of a TV show or video game, the less time they'll play sports or exercise. "Changes in television viewing do not necessarily predict changes in physical activity -- increases or decreases-- so we cannot just assume that if we can get kids to reduce their television viewing it will automatically result in increases in their physical activity," said study lead author Dr. Elsie M. Taveras. She's an assistant professor of pediatrics in the department of ambulatory care and prevention at Harvard Medical School. Taveras and her colleagues examined the TV and exercise habits of almost 6,400 girls and 4,500 boys across the United States, who were between the ages of 10 and 15 when the four-year study began in 1997. All the children were the sons and daughters of nurses who'd participated in an earlier study, and the vast majority was non-Hispanic whites. The children completed four written questionnaires over the study period, in which they reported the number of hours they spent watching TV, as well as the amount of time they spent exercising outside of any school-required physical education classes. TV viewing broadly included all video watching and video-game playing. In terms of exercise, moderate activities such as baseball, biking, dancing, skateboarding, walking, gymnastics, and volleyball were included, as were what the study authors deemed to be more strenuous activities, such as basketball, hockey, skating, swimming, soccer, tennis, jogging, football, and karate. The authors found that for each additional hour a week that a child spent watching TV, their involvement in either moderate or vigorous exercise increased by just .03 hours a week. The researchers concluded that changes in television viewing habits year to year did not appear to be substantially related to changes in exercise habits. This lack of an association held true for gender and age, with no apparent difference between boys or girls aged 10 to 12 and those aged 13 to 15. The researchers suggested that public health programs designed to address adolescent obesity should view television watching and exercise as two independent activities with separate motivations. But, Dr. Jess Shatkin, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, and director of education and training at New York University's Child Study Center, said any conclusions about a connection between TV watching and exercise is complicated by socio-economic factors. "From a public health background, a lot of it comes down to what you can afford," he said. "This study doesn't directly address this, but it may be that while TV-watching is not by itself connected with exercise habits, the fact that a child doesn't live in a safe area may mean he stays inside more, doesn't exercise, and watches TV more so parents can keep tabs. "And," Shatkin added, "for a variety of reasons, physical activity has become less of a priority in our public schools. So, if a child doesn't happen to live near a nice park, and the parents can't afford $300 for a T-ball class, then the kid is probably going to get less exercise whether or not he's watching TV." Taveras acknowledged that point, noting that the children in the study came from families with higher-than-average economic backgrounds, in which at least one parent -- the mother -- was educated and employed as a health-care professional. "So he [Shatkin] is absolutely right," she said. "Our findings are certainly valid for the group we looked at, but they may not be generalizable. They may not translate to someone who lives in the inner city, where there may not be the money to replace TV-viewing with gymnastics." T");sQ1[135]=new Array("http://edition.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/diet.fitness/01/26/CL.satisfaction.guaranteed/","Satisfaction guaranteed: How certain foods help you feel full  - CNN.com","Many of us worry about overeating when we sit down for a meal. But what, beyond overindulgence, makes people feel full -- and how can we leverage foods' filling powers to help control portions?","is researchers, who invited subjects to eat soup from bowls equipped with hidden refilling devices that kept the amount of soup in each bowl constant. Subjects who supped from these bowls consumed 73 percent more soup than those who used ordinary bowls; however, they didn't rate their feelings of satiety any higher than those who consumed less. The presentation of portions can also influence the amount of food you eat. Most of us are likely to eat considerably more than usual from a buffet-style table. One study showed that just increasing the variety of foods available increased intake by 60 percent. In other words, you really do eat with your eyes. Eat with friends or coworkers, and chances are you'll model the amount you eat based on their plates. "As long as you have a big eater in the room, our research suggests people then feel free to eat a little less than whoever sets the pace," Polivy says. She and her colleagues tested the hypothesis on people who had been deprived of food for 24 hours and found that subjects regulated their food intake by keeping an eye on their colleagues' plates, eating more when in the presence of someone who ate heartily. Inflation rates The flexible physiology of the stomach helps place us at the mercy of environmental stimuli. Although ordinarily about the size of a closed fist, the stomach expands as food enters. "Our stomachs can hold about three pints of food," explains Julie Schwartz, M.S., R.D., coordinator of nutrition services at Emory Bariatric Center in Atlanta, Georgia. "That's about the size of a football." While useful in the event of food scarcities that plagued our ancestors, the stomach's ability to expand can undermine our best sensible-eating intentions. Fill the stomach too quickly, and your body won't have time to recognize messages from the hormones that help regulate appetite. Insulin, leptin, cortisol, and ghrelin are some of the chemical messengers that send signals between the stomach and the brain, inducing hunger and registering satiety. "We don't have immediate feedback from our bodies telling us we've eaten enough," Polivy says. "It takes about 20 minutes for food to be digested enough that glucose gets into the bloodstream and the hormones start working." If you have already consumed most of a meal in 20 minutes' time, your brain will receive satiety signals too late to slow your eating. How nutrients help Although environment is a powerful factor that drives people to eat, certain nutrients -- most notably protein, fiber, and water -- can help tilt our internal scales toward "full" before we reach the red line. (Experts pick their perfect food ) Protein is the most satiating nutrient, says former Harvard University researcher Thomas Halton, Ph.D., who recently co-wrote review of 50 satiety studies in The Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Something about protein tells our bodies to stop eating it after a while. Researchers aren't quite sure of the mechanism but believe that part of protein's advantage may come from its thermic effect, the rate at which calories are consumed simply by the act of digesting food. "The digestion and absorption of protein takes more work than the digestion and absorption of fat and carbohydrates," Halton says. About 25 to 35 percent of protein calories are used as the body converts protein to energy; only five to 15 percent are used when carbohydrates are converted. Carbohydrates are the next most satiating foods. "The type of carbohydrate plays a role," Halton says. "Whole grains are more satiating than refined sugars and refined white flour." Whole grains, along with fruits and vegetables, tend to be filling because they contain higher levels of fiber. Unlike other food substances, fiber is not digested. It adds bulk to foods, which helps fill the stomach, slowing the rate at which food is digested. The result: You notice feelings of fullness sooner. Fruits, vegetables, and grains also have another satiety-related benefit: Because these foods contain high percentages of water, they generally have a lower energy density, the number of calories per gram, than meats, dairy foods, and confections. That means you can eat more of them without the consequences that high-calorie foods can bring. A number of studies coordinated by Rolls show that eating salads and other low-calorie foods can help people eat less without feeling deprived. In one study, Rolls found that eating a salad with low energy density before a meal enhanced satiety enough that subjects consumed 12 percent less food from the meal. While fat's palatability certainly provides satisfaction, it isn't technically "satiating," according to Dana Gerstein, M.P.H., R.D., specialist at the University of California at Berkeley's Center for Weight and Health. "I think of 'satisfying' as fulfilling a desire," Gerstein says. "Fat fulfills desire but is not satiating. Satiation is a physiological process." All of this information yields a plate containing a small amount of fat, a lean source of protein, and a variety of fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. "This is pretty much what we know we should be eating anyway, but it also helps with satiety," Rolls says. "It's a new way to encourage people to practice good nutrition."Maureen Callahan, M.S., R.D., is an award-winning food journalist and recipe developer. She lives in Colorado.Try a FREE TRIAL issue of Cooking Light - CLICK HERE! Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Popular | Next story in HealthHealth Search TopicE-mail Alerts Diet and Fitness Cooking Light Nutrition What are E-mail Alerts? | Manage Alerts | Create Your ");sQ1[136]=new Array("http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/articles/070205/5health.binge.htm","Health: Eating Disorders: Binge Eating More Common Than Anorexia and Bulimia - US News and World Report","As far as eating disorders go, anorexia and bulimia get the most attention. But it turns out that binge eating is the most common. A new survey of more than 9,000 Americans published in the current issue of the Journal of Biological Psychiatry found that binge eating disorder occurs in nearly 4 percent of people, whereas anorexia and bulimia occur in 0.6 percent and 1 percent, respectively. Binge eaters typically consume more than 1,500 calories in one sitting between meals when they're not particularly hungry, and they binge at least two times a week. As a result, they're five times as likely to be severely obese, which puts them at a greater risk of obesity-related problems like heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, and colon cancer, according to study leader James Hudson, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.","et the most attention. But it turns out that binge eating is the most common. A new survey of more than 9,000 Americans published in the current issue of the Journal of Biological Psychiatry found that binge eating disorder occurs in nearly 4 percent of people, whereas anorexia and bulimia occur in 0.6 percent and 1 percent, respectively. Binge eaters typically consume more than 1,500 calories in one sitting between meals when they're not particularly hungry, and they binge at least two times a week. As a result, they're five times as likely to be severely obese, which puts them at a greater risk of obesity-related problems like heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, and colon cancer, according to study leader James Hudson, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Related News Web Sites That Promote Eating Disorders (12/6/06) Society for Bulimia Promoted in College Bookstore Bathroom Stall (12/4/06) More From Best Health Binge eating is akin to alcoholism in that sufferers find that taking a small taste of, say, ice cream leads them to wolf down the entire pint. "It's the same loss of control," explains Hudson, and the same sense of remorse. "Afterwards, people feel depressed and disgusted with themselves. Their self-esteem and feelings of value get terribly hammered and eroded over time." The study also found that binge eating typically lasts for eight years, the same as for bulimia–compared with about two years for anorexia. What's more, 65 percent of binge eaters have an accompanying anxiety disorder such as a phobia or post traumatic stress disorder. Yet, only about half the binge eaters in the study reported receiving any kind of treatment for either their eating disorder or anxiety. That's similar to the low treatment rate for other eating disorders. In a press conference announcing the findings, the authors emphasized the need for doctors to recognize the problem and initiate early treatment to prevent obesity. Binge eating is typically treated with medications such as Topamax (topiramate) or Meridia (sibutramine) and with psychological and behavioral counseling. Print | E-mail | Subscribe | + Share Digg Del.icio.us Facebook Newsvine Reddit advertisement advertisement Health Health Community Patients, caregivers, family, and friends can connect with each other, post questions, and share thoughts in our neoom Program | Marketplace | Store | Advertise With Us | Masthead Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.");sQ1[137]=new Array("http://www.thestate.com/","The State | Homepage","","ing to change. Charges filed in deadly fire A Columbia man has been arrested and charged with starting a fire that killed a 9-year-old girl and her mother May 30, and sexually assaulting another woman living in the home, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said. What is the magic number? Richland 2 officials are trying to avoid a steep tax increase for property owners with new options for a 10-year, $549 million building and renovation plan. 2 arrested, 1 sought in drive-by slaying Three men have been charged with the murder of a 17-year-old girl authorities say was an innocent bystander in a drive-by shooting at a Bluff Estates neighborhood barbecue Tuesday night. Cigarette tax hike prospects snuffed Efforts to raise South Carolina’s lowest-in-the nation cigarette tax have failed as lawmakers will adjourn today without resolving the issue. Metro Music with a message Charges filed in deadly fire District gives nod to budget proposal D-Day honor: S.C. soldiers get combat patch Clemson puts off increase in tuition Sports top_stories'> Tim Duncan: Forgotten superstar NOW THAT LEBRON James has become ABC’s savior of the NBA Finals — and LeBron says he is honored to be compared with Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson and Gandhi — we interrupt this homeroom crush for some genuine education. Wieters could be left waiting North Carolina State coach Elliott Avent counted the number of players like Matt Wieters on one hand. Spurs aim for ring aided by a prayer SAN ANTONIO — In their simple convent, where rows of chairs are arranged in front of a television and a crucifix, the 23 nuns of the Salesian Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province briefly put aside their pleas for the sick and the poor to pray for the San Antonio Spurs. Location, location, location is the key BELTON — Players participating in the 51st annual Palmetto State Closed Championships knew they would face stiff challenges. However, the logistics have proved to be even tougher. Anaheim Ducks win Stanley Cup Magic release Donovan from contract NBA finals open tonight in San Antonio Column: Clemens' act has worn thin Tampa's bullpen bounces back, keys win 2007 Major League Baseball Draft complete coverage Business More exposure is in the air for city Ex-chief denied parole Fee-loving bank shows change of heart Group predicts bigger drop in home sales Carolina Care Plan names new president Nation & World Scientists convert skin cells into embryonic stem cells Protester arrested in flag desecration case Scientists say Iceman killed by arrow injury Nation and world roundup Transplant team’s plane crashes, killing 6 Life & Style Tracking turtles The Lady Lisa cuts a smooth line in the glassy green water of Charleston Harbor. The 75-foot trawler’s heavily netted arms reach out in the early morning sun and seem to balance her ride toward open water. Dinner party bombshell Therapists, we’ve long known, are among the biggest fans of “The Sopranos.” Tony’s descent parallels drama’s demise The end is near; here’s where things stand on “The Sopranos” heading into Sunday’s finale: Styx and stones: Panozzo remembers the band’s good, bad years Sex! Robots! Epic battles for creative control! When bassist Chuck Panozzo, a founding member of Styx, sat down to pen his autobiography, he had a lot of rock ‘n’ roll to cover. Thursday TV talk 7 a.m. Today: Stacy London shares tips for dressing like style icons; “People” magazine’s Galina Espinoza shares great buys under $50; author Sonia Manzano. BLOGGING FROM SPOLETO 2 a.m. Thursday June 6 The poetry sorely lacking from Book Thursday 6/7 1250 a.m. Longing Review Tuesday June 5 230 p.m. Party man and late nights Monday 6/4 10 a.m. A peek at Piccolo Sunday 6/3 419 p.m. Major Bang Things to Do Farmers markets Summer camps Wellness & Fun Day Saturday Farmer's markets Area summer camps Our Community Blogs Your Turn A Taste of Carolina At the Races Backyard Wildlife Habitats Beyond the Illusion Carolina Trees & Forests Journal citywords Coffee House Confessions Ima Byer Integrative Medicine Living With a Country Girl Love and Marriage My Afghanistan Experience My Two Cents Perfect World Pet Forum Politically Incorrect Read the Book! Richland Biking Running Around Spin Staying Connected The Diva Latest from the Newsroom CHECK YOUR COMMUTE Select S.C. DOT cameras Sheriffs to talk about Paris Hilton After three days of silence regarding Paris Hilton's stay at a Los Angeles County jail, sheriff's deputies were ready to talk. Traffic and weather conditions 7:47 a.m. | A multi-vehicle wreck was reported on Intestate 26 east at the I-126 split. Also, a disabled vehicle was reported on I-77 north at the second Blythewood exit. From the Kansas City Star: Man arrested in Kansas teen's death Beaufort school district settles molestation claims for $4.6M The Beaufort County School District has agreed to pay $4.6 million to settle six of seven lawsuits filed after a former teacher molested at least nine students. Rowesville man gets 21 years in prison for killing friend A Rowesville man has stopped his trial to pleaded guilty to killing a friend during a fight and was sentenced to 21 years in prison. Obama, Graham trade barbs as immigration debate boils over Presidential politics and partisan resentments reached a boil in the Senate Wednesday night, as a heated exchange between Sens. Barack Obama and Lindsey Graham erupted on the chamber floor and continued in a nearby corridor. Online Extras & Exclusives MOST POPULAR STORIES ‘She was a good child ... too independent, sometimes’ Recruiting | Spurrier eyeing first S.C. quarterback SC teacher sentenced to 10 years for having sex with student Baseball | USC looks super Bring on the Heels Who will run to back Fred Thompson if he comes to S.C.? S.C. state salary database Millions frozen in scheme probe Former insurance company president sentenced on forgery charges USC shifts power base LIFE & STYLE Tracking turtlesLoggerhead researchers work to save turtles off the Charleston coast Photo gallery SPOLETO: Daily coverage, special features DATA S.C. Salary DatabaseLook up salary information for state employees. Educator Discipline DatabaseSee which public educators have been disciplined and why. VIDEO PHOTO Photo galleries | Order reprints NEW! Photos of the Month - May SPOTTED Photographer Jen Ray documents life in the Midlands. Did she photograph you? Red, White and Blue fest, May 27 at Art Bar Skateboarding on Assembly DON'T");sQ1[138]=new Array("http://www.tvweek.com/article.cms?articleId=31448","The State | Homepage","","Subscriber Services Search TheState.com Archives Web for Sign in to your Classified Account Jobs Cars Real Estate Apartments Shop Local All Classifieds Legal Ads Create an Ad Find an Ad Find a Job Keywords: Location: News Breaking News Local/Metro S.C. Politics S.C. at War Sports GoGamecocks.com Opinion / Letters Obituaries Business People & Promotions Entertainment Living Events Online Extras Audio & Video Blogs Discussion Boards Newspaper Ads NIE S.C. History New! Special Sections Surveys Weddings Site Services About The State Contact Us Past Articles How to Advertise Photo Reprints Maps & Directions RSS Feeds Yellow Pages Carrier Application Jobs at The State Updated every Saturday Download today • Front page • Metro • Sports In Today's Paper Deputy on the job again After a childhood of constant movement in a military family, Richland County Sheriff’s Deputy Jerry Hurd considered himself a pro at adjusting to change. Charges filed in deadly fire A Columbia man has been arrested and charged with starting a fire that killed a 9-year-old girl and her mother May 30, and sexually assaulting another woman living in the home, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said. What is the magic number? Richland 2 officials are trying to avoid a steep tax increase for property owners with new options for a 10-year, $549 million building and renovation plan. 2 arrested, 1 sought in drive-by slaying Three men have been charged with the murder of a 17-year-old girl authorities say was an innocent bystander in a drive-by shooting at a Bluff Estates neighborhood barbecue Tuesday night. Cigarette tax hike prospects snuffed Efforts to raise South Carolina’s lowest-in-the nation cigarette tax have failed as lawmakers will adjourn today without resolving the issue. Metro Music with a message Charges filed in deadly fire District gives nod to budget proposal D-Day honor: S.C. soldiers get combat patch Clemson puts off increase in tuition Sports top_stories'> Tim Duncan: Forgotten superstar NOW THAT LEBRON James has become ABC’s savior of the NBA Finals — and LeBron says he is honored to be compared with Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson and Gandhi — we interrupt this homeroom crush for some genuine education. Wieters could be left waiting North Carolina State coach Elliott Avent counted the number of players like Matt Wieters on one hand. Spurs aim for ring aided by a prayer SAN ANTONIO — In their simple convent, where rows of chairs are arranged in front of a television and a crucifix, the 23 nuns of the Salesian Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province briefly put aside their pleas for the sick and the poor to pray for the San Antonio Spurs. Location, location, location is the key BELTON — Players participating in the 51st annual Palmetto State Closed Championships knew they would face stiff challenges. However, the logistics have proved to be even tougher. Anaheim Ducks win Stanley Cup Magic release Donovan from contract NBA finals open tonight in San Antonio Column: Clemens' act has worn thin Tampa's Medicine Living With a Country Girl Love and Marriage My Afghanistan Experience My Two Cents Perfect World Pet Forum Politically Incorrect Read the Book! Richland Biking Running Around Spin Staying Connected The Diva Latest from the Newsroom CHECK YOUR COMMUTE Select S.C. DOT cameras Sheriffs to talk about Paris Hilton After three days of silence regarding Paris Hilton's stay at a Los Angeles County jail, sheriff's deputies were ready to talk. Traffic and weather conditions 7:47 a.m. | A multi-vehicle wreck was reported on Intestate 26 east at the I-126 split. Also, a disabled vehicle was reported on I-77 north at the second Blythewood exit. From the Kansas City Star: Man arrested in Kansas teen's death Beaufort school district settles molestation claims for $4.6M The Beaufort County School District has agreed to pay $4.6 million to settle six of seven lawsuits filed after a former teacher molested at least nine students. Rowesville man gets 21 years in prison for killing friend A Rowesville man has stopped his trial to pleaded guilty to killing a friend during a fight and was sentenced to 21 years in prison. Obama, Graham trade barbs as immigration debate boils over Presidential politics and partisan resentments reached a boil in the Senate Wednesday night, as a heated exchange between Sens. Barack Obama and Lindsey Graham erupted on the chamber floor and continued in a nearby corridor. Online Extras & Exclusives MOST POPULAR STORIES ‘She was a good child ... too independent, sometimes’ Recruiting | Spurrier eyeing first S.C. quarterback SC teacher sentenced to 10 years for having sex with student Baseball | USC looks super Bring on the Heels Who will run to back Fred Thompson if he comes to S.C.? S.C. state salary database Millions frozen in scheme probe Former insurance company president sentenced on forgery charges USC shifts power base LIFE & STYLE Tracking turtlesLoggerhead researchers work to save turtles off the Charleston coast Photo gallery SPOLETO: Daily coverage, special features DATA S.C. Salary DatabaseLook up salary information for state employees. Educator Discipline DatabaseSee which public educators have been disciplined and why. VIDEO PHOTO Photo galleries | Order reprints NEW! Photos of the Month - May SPOTTED Photographer Jen Ray documents life in the Midlands. Did she photograph you? Red, White and Blue fest, May 27 at Art Bar Skateboarding on Assembly DON'T MISS Blogs, contests & more! SOUTH CAROLINA'S NEWSPAPER Featured Advertisers Dating Comics and Games Local Shopping Find a Car Apartments Local Jobs Digital printing #1 SC Real Estate License Portable MP3 Players Flash Games Enter Keyword(s): Enter a City: Select a State: – All United States – Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Select a Category: – All Job CaMcClatchy Company Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright");sQ1[139]=new Array("http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070205/LIFE/70205006/-1/NEWS01","delawareonline ¦ The News Journal, Wilmington, Del. ¦ Error: Invalid story key (BL,20070205,LIFE,70205006,AR).","The most comprehensive site for news, sports, opinion, and real estate in the state of Delaware.","Sports Opinion Entertainment Life Video Mobile Local Nation & World Communities Weather Traffic Databases Special Reports Politics Schools Crime Fire Lottery Stocks Technology Savings Loan Mortgage Personal Finance Money and more CareerBuilder High Schools UD DSU Eagles 76ers Flyers Phillies Nascar Blue Rocks Horse Racing Del. at Play Blogs Letters Blogs Editorial Cartoons Letters Our View Community View Rebuttal Del. Voice Perspective Music Movies TV Beach Art & Museums Theatre Dining Family Fun Lodging Games Horoscopes Food Home & Garden 55 Hours Dear Abby Technology Travel Health She Said Crossroads Did You Know Local News & Weather Entertainment Sports USA Today RSS Feeds Wireless Content E-Newsletters Text Alerts sponsoredby: All News Yellow Pages Websites Classifieds Movies Events Cars Jobs Homes Shopping Error: Invalid story key (BL,20070205,LIFE,70205006,AR). Error: Invalid story key (BL,20070205,LIFE,70205006,AR). Error: Invalid story key (BL,20070205,LIFE,70205006,AR). Error: Invalid story key (BL,20070205,LIFE,70205006,AR). Error: Invalid story key (BL,20070205,LIFE,70205006,AR). Top StoryChat Freebery pleads guilty to felony bank fraud - 42 Comments Drowning victims were inseparable friends - 20 Comments How the public lost its right to the beach - 57 Comments Error: Invalid story key (BL,20070205,LIFE,70205006,AR). News Choices Get Published Webcasts Wireless Text Alerts RSS Feeds News Archive Error: Invalid story key (BL,20070205,LIFE,70205006,AR). Error: Invalid story key (BL,20070205,LIFE,70205006,AR). Error: Invalid story key (BL,20070205,LIFE,70205006,AR). Advertisement Partners | Jobs: CareerBuilder.com | Cars: cars.com | Apartments: apartments.com | Shopping: ShopLocal.com Copyright © 2007, The News Journal. All rights reserved. Users of this site agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights (Terms updated March 2007). Questions? Keywords: Delaware, D");sQ1[140]=new Array("http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/health/news-article.aspx?storyid=75374","Health -  Body Contouring, a Plastic Surgery Trend","First Coast News Health - News, Buddy Check 12, Donna's Journal and more.","stresses is that potential patients should already have experienced their maximum weight loss after surgery. "You want to be just about at your fighting weight," he said. On January 19, the day of Maria's surgery, Dr. Gryskiewicz sketches out contour lines on Diaz's belly. To him, each patient is a work of art. The doctor believes Diaz is emotionally and physically ready. She says, "I'm ready for it. I'm excited." In the operating room, Gryskiewicz explains, "what were doing with this kind of surgery is fat removal, skin removal and tightening the tummy muscles, those three steps." First Diaz gets a little liposuction. Then comes the major tummy tuck. Gryskiewicz makes two horizontal incisions from hip to hip and removes the excess skin in between. He says that skin weighs about 15 pounds and is a couple feet long. He then closes the surgical site with staples. As with any surgery, there are risks. Gryskiewicz said the most common risk is developing a blood clot in the lungs. But he says Diaz has a lot going for her. "She's 29, so she's young and she's healthy, and she's done having children and she's motivated. She had very realistic expectations," he said. After three and a half hours, her tummy tuck is done. As Gryskiewicz closes, "I think when she looks down, it's just going to be such a remarkable change. All this skin and overhang will be gone. She's got a real nice, smooth closure." Almost a week later, two drainage tubes are removed from Diaz's belly. But she still has more than a month of taking care of her incision and stitches. A week and a half after surgery, she's taking it easy. Three of her four kids have gone to stay with her mother, while she gets back to her daily routine. "I walk slow, it's still pretty tight and a little bit tender," she said about a week after the surgery. And she's bruised. But compare what her tummy once looked like to now, with no excess skin and much flatter, and Diaz is all smiles. She says she's happy with her new, more sculpted, shape. Dr. Gryskiewicz says a tummy tuck from him costs around $8,000. Since its cosmetic, it's not covered by most medical plans. Before having plastic surgery, Gryskiewicz says you should consider your overall health, the risks, and who you want your surgeon to be. When choosing a surgeon, he says, don't rely on the yellow pages. He suggests you ask friends, family practice doctors and even your hairdresser who they would recommend. Then, ask at least three or four surgeons for photos of their work and check their credentials. Gr");sQ1[141]=new Array("http://fox21news.com/Global/story.asp?S=6048969","Supersizing America","","nutritionist. She said, "It has increased 3, 4, 5 fold. Its just been really phenomenal in terms of the increase in obesity." And as our waistlines have gotten bigger, so have our products. You can buy extra large chairs, toilet seats, even caskets. And seats are getting bigger at stadiums and restaurants. McGrath said, "You can even see it in movie theaters, newer theaters their seats are larger than they used to be. Certainly from a business perspective you'd think the more seats you can jam into a place the better off you'd be. Well, that's not really happening, largely because people are getting bigger." The obesity epidemic has also changed the way some life saving products are developed. Local paramedics used to have an uphill battle dealing with the severely obese. Tawnya Silloway is with American Medical Response. She said, "We have literally transported people in the back of a U-Haul truck." Which was not only undignified, it was also unsafe. So just months ago, AMR decided to get one supersized ambulance. Silloway said, "Just talking with staff over the last year or even two years it has been a growing concern." The bariatric unit is wider than your typical ambulance. And so is the cot, which is made of welded steel and can hold up to 1600 pounds-- more than double what the regular cots can hold. And, unlike its smaller counterparts, it comes equipped with ramps, saving paramedics from straining their backs to lift their patients. Adults are not the only ones who are getting bigger. Childhood obesity has more than tripled since 1980. McGrath said, "Even 20 years ago you never heard of hardening of the arteries until people were like 60, 70, 80. And now children at the age of three have athlerosclerosis. It's just amazing." And manufacturers are now responding to the problem. Robert Horton is a certified child passenger safety technician. He says most car seats can't hold an overweight child. Horton said, "If you're in a crash, you're substantially putting that child at risk of being injured because the seat was not designed for that weight." Horton said car seat ");sQ1[142]=new Array("http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/health/s/234/234598_liposuction_no_answer_to_obesity.html","Liposuction 'no answer to obesity' - Health - News - Manchester Evening News","","eyelid surgery. According to today's figures from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), 3,986 liposuctions were carried out last year - up from 2,099 in 2005. BAAPS, which is based at the Royal College of Surgeons, said other operations - such as breast surgery and nose jobs - had also seen a rise. A total of 28,921 plastic surgery procedures were carried out by BAAPS surgeons in 2006 - up around a third on the 22,041 figure for 2005. But Sally Taber, from Independent Healthcare Advisory Services, said the total number of operations carried out by all UK plastic surgeons could actually be three times higher - at around 90,000. The organisation represents companies that account for two-thirds of the cosmetic surgery market sector. Facelifts The BAAPS figures showed that anti-ageing procedures were also popular, with facelifts up 44% on the previous year, eyelid surgery up 48%, and brow lifts up 50%. Of the 28,921 procedures carried out, 26,469 (92%) were performed on women, who accounted for 19,601 in the previous year. A total of 6,156 women had breast surgery, while nose jobs were the most popular procedure among men, with 525 undertaken by BAAPS surgeons. Men also opted for eyelid surgery (506 procedures), liposuction (494), ears pinned back or altered (397) and face and neck lifts (190). Last year, Denise Hendry, the wife of former Scotland football captain Colin Hendry, accepted more than '100,000 in compensation following botched liposuction. The mother-of-four was left fighting for her life after undergoing the operation in 2002. Rajiv Grover, consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPS council member, said: "Judging by the dramatic rise in certain procedures, it is clear we are becoming a more body-image conscious society. "However, it is important to note that liposuction and tummy tucks are not a treatment for weight management or obesity: they are body contouring procedures for patients near or already at their ideal body weight." Douglas McGeorge, consultant plastic surgeon and president of BAAPS, said: "These figures reflect the growing acceptance of aesthetic surgery, particularly in the areas of body contouring and anti-ageing. Media " I contribute at least some of this trend to the continued media coverage which provides the public with an idea of what surgical procedures can achieve, as well as technological advances that improve safety and reduce costs." Louise Braham, director of The Harley Medical Group, which has 13 clinics, said it had also been responding to rising demand. She said: "Lawyers, teachers, estate agents and accountants have been increasingly notable professions opting for treatment, with Newcastle, Marlow, Chester and London's City workers accounting for some of the boom areas. "All of our clinics have seen substantial growth rates this year, which has meant the need to launch six Healthcare Commission-registered clinics over a six-month period to cope with patient demand." The Harley Medical Group said "growth hotspots" included botox procedures, which had risen 89% in the last six months, breast reductions which rose 85% in the last six months, and nose jobs, which rose 25% in last six months. Breast surgery and nose jobs costs from around '4,000, while a tummy tuck costs almost '6,000 and liposuction comes in at around '3,000. The most popular surgery for men and women in 2006, according to BAAPS (number of operations and percentage rise since 2005 in brackets): Breast augmentation - 6,156 (up 9%) Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) ");sQ1[143]=new Array("http://www.emaxhealth.com/109/8848.html","Obesity Cause and Help > Obesity explained by withdrawal syndrome","Study looks at similarities between obesity and drug dependence.","When drug addicts consume cocaine or alcohol they activate the dopaminergic system of the nervous system. "Heroin, cocaine, amphetamines and alcohol stimulate the c