NPR is running a fascinating series on obesity in America.  There are a number of stories on the social, medical and economic impacts of obesity.  One of the items they have is an infographic showing some eye-opening trends related to obesity.  The ones about increases portion size over the years are quite stunning. For instance, [...]

According to new research, Americans are eating significantly more each day than we did back in the 1970s.  The findings arose from analyzing data from food surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention between 1977 and 2006. When it comes to managing your weight, 570 calories [...]

The USDA has completed the review of its dietary guidelines is makes every 5 years (as mandated by Congress).  This latest update is a big one!  The much-maligned Food Pyramid has been replaced with a much simpler plate.  This is something that everyone–even children–can relate to. The principles stressed by the new “My Plate” model [...]

The objective of the program is to engage the citizens of Colorado in a measurable program that pays people for achieving a healthy weight.

A recent analysis of the costs associated with overweight and obesity has found the the total annual cost in North America to be $300B.  The research found that the costs are largely driven by four primary areas: Increased medical care Loss of worker productivity Higher death rates Increases in worker disability The study is titled [...]

The USAToday ran a nice feature on ways to address the issue of rising teen obesity.  Prompted by a recent study in the American Medical Association that found that heavy teens tend to gain even more weight in their 20s. Part of the answer is to make getting and staying healthy a family event.  Whether [...]

Todd McGuire, COO/CTO of incentaHEALTH, will speak today at the International Conference on Commercial Driver Health and Wellness in Baltimore, MD. The event is being hosted by Transportation Research Board of the National Academies and is being held at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel from November 8-10, 2010. Under the tagline “Research on the Health [...]

New research by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) projects that one third of our population could have diabetes by the year 2050. The encouraging part of this story is that nearly all of the spread of diabetes will be of the Type 2 variety, which is largely preventable.  Want to take action now?  Start [...]

A recent research study conducted by researchers at Cornell and Lehigh universities and  has analyzed the economic impact of obesity.  The findings show obesity’s annual cost of approximately $168B in the United States. Previous studies found that obese individuals incurred $1,400 in additional medical costs each year.  The new studies put that number at over [...]

The USDA has released preliminary information about the next round of changes coming to the Food Pyramid.  First published in 1980, the Dietary Guidelines are mandated by Congress to be reviewed, updated and released by USDA and HHS every five years. Based on the material being released, it is clear that obesity is front and [...]