When it comes to rising levels of obesity in the United States, there's finally a glimmer of good news. In addition to three drugs now commonly used to treat the overweight and obese, three more weight-loss prescription drugs are in the works. Many researchers say safe and effective weight-loss medications can save lives and a ton of money by curbing the incidence of weight-related diseases such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.

The three prescription drugs presently used to treat obesity include sibutramine (Meridia), which increases satiety; phentermine, which suppresses appetite; and orlistat (Xenical), which prevents some dietary fat from being absorbed by the intestine. Orlistat is sold in a lower dose over-the-counter, like Alli. The Food and Drug Administration is reviewing safety information regarding reports of liver-related adverse events in patients taking orlistat.

Like the three well-known drugs above, the new drugs are intended either for people who are obese, which is considered to be 30 or more pounds over a healthy weight, or for overweight patients who have risk factors like high blood pressure. A quick review of the three new drugs:

We know that obesity in our country is out of control, but I've always thought of it as a current event kind of issue. But then I read this article over at MSNBC, and it was really interesting. It details a new exhibit at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Calling JFK the "most influential" president when it came to physical fitness, the exhibit outlines many of the steps he took to get Americans out and exercising.

One quote that stuck with me was this one:


It's a theory that health experts have discussed over and over again. Has the easy living of modern life made us soft? Even though obesity is a rampant problem of today, apparently the warning signs were present even during his presidency. Interesting article...what do you think?

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Former President Bill Clinton called obesity the country's largest health crisis. Obesity has been called that before, but more people listen to a former President than actual medical authorities, so perhaps Clinton will garner some attention on the issue here.

Clinton said the nation could be at risk without immediate action, stating that "We need to do something about it for our children, and for our country, because something like this could easily collapse our nation if we don't act now."

He's right -- although many of us wade around with so much extra weight it stresses our bones, the impending health care crisis needed by millions of unhealthy people could turn into a national tragedy.

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You'd think that eating junk food and avoiding physical activity would lead to an unhealthy and hazardous life, but, according to new research from Australia, it's a problem after you're dead, too.

The study found that 64% of women and a whopping 75% of men living in rural areas were overweight. Then, after heart disease, diabetes, or some other obesity-related illness finally caught up with these people, their bodies were causing "significant occupational health and safety issues" for those working in mortuaries.

If Australians don't get fit soon, the country will need to start constructing new mortuaries specifically designed with "larger storage and dissection rooms, and more robust equipment," to avoid the kinds of "major logistical problems" already plaguing the system.

How unhealthy must society get before people start taking this epidemic seriously?

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Once your child is born, he or she will enter into a world where, statistically speaking, they'll probably become overweight or obese. To work against these odds, your community will most-likely have a variety of programs in place to try and keep your child active and in shape -- plus, you'll undoubtedly also do your best to help them stay fit.

But what are you doing right now? A new study shows that the diets of pregnant women may have an impact on their children's chances of becoming obese later in life.

Based on recent research, scientists theorize that the fetus develops its metabolism in the womb. Meaning that if the womb is low in nutrients, the fetus adapt to a world in which food supplies are low, and develop a slow metabolism.

That said, researchers also caution that if this theory proves false, and if food -- especially high fat food -- is readily available, just the opposite could be true. A child could be set on a path toward adult obesity, along with conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

Whatever the case, the idea that the diet of pregnant women may effect their child's potential for obesity throughout their life adds a new facet to the battle against the obesity epidemic.

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Despite a major push to draw attention to the obesity epidemic in America, Americans just keep gaining weight. In fact, recent statistics say that the number of Americans who are morbidly obese, or have a BMI over 40, increased by 50% between 2000 and 2005. And the number considered severely obese, or with a BMI over 50, increased by a whopping 75%.

Despite the headlines and the growing popularity of weight loss surgery, it appears that the number of of people who fall into these categories continues to rise. With 30% of Americans already considered overweight, these numbers are startling, to say the least.

It's no easy feat to lose 100 pounds or more, but that's no reason to give up hope. If you have a lot of weight to lose, here's an excellent article on getting started. The key point seems to be that what works for those with 20 pounds to lose may not work with those who have 100 to lose, so see your doctor and develop a plan that works for you.

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As some states try ti initiate programs to cut down on the rate of obesity in the citizen population, some states are attempting to take the lead in this area -- and count West Virginia among them.

The state is taking rather remarkable steps since it is, after all, the third-heaviest state in the U.S.. West Virginia is allowing obese Medicaid recipients to join Weight Watchers for free even.

The reason to do this lies in the enormous health care costs for obese (unhealthy) citizens in West Virginia -- everyone from government workers to teachers.

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Are Americans really becoming heaver than ever? A new Gallup study that looked at 1,000 U.S. adults (aged 18 and older) polled by phone less than three weeks ago says that many of us are heavier than ever, mostly from inactivity and lack of exercise.

Study respondents reported height, weight, exercise habits, and whether they are trying to lose weight when asked by Gallup. Using the controversial BMI (body mass index) resulted in Gallup concluding that six in 10 adults are overweight or obese.

Although I use the BMI to measure overall weight-health, it is far from being a single measurement of success even though it is a common yardstick. In this poll, Gallup defined "frequent" exercise as working out five or more days per week -- and two-thirds of participants didn't meet that standard.

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A number of large food companies, including McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Campbell's, Hershey and Kraft, have promised to promote healthy eating and exercise in advertising campaigns aimed at children. This means limiting the presence of kids characters and games on unhealthy items, although this only applies to outside characters and not the brands own spokescartoon (think Ronald McDonald), who can be used to promote any item. Critics are wary and think this move will have little impact. In fact, one mother quoted says that it doesn't matter if apple slices are being pushed on children, because they already know what they like: French fries.

In some ways, it seems like these food companies are making a very small, un-impactful step in the hopes of relieving pressure from mothers and health groups, who rally them to stop perpetuating the childhood obesity epidemic. Still, I think it's a good start. What's your opinion?

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With obesity not just being an American health issue, a recent charter signed by 53 European countries to fight the effects of obesity was recently signed into action. European health ministers approved the world's first charter to fight obesity on this morning.

The group vowed that greater action against the epidemic of obesity would be the primary focus of the new charter, which was signed in Istanbul, Turkey and which was drafted by the World Health Organization. This new European charter is the first real attempt to compel national authorities to take concrete action to combat obesity and I applaud it highly. Something needs to be done to curb obesity from the lifestyles of hundreds of millions of global citizens.

"Lots of governments have good recommendations and nice guidelines, but in terms of nutritional goals, most countries haven't achieved them," said Dr. Francesco Branca, WHO's European adviser for nutrition and food security. This is so true, so let's hope that this new WHO-drafted obesity-reduction charter compels European governments to promote things like improving the availability of healthy foods and ensuring the promotion of healthful activities like cycling and walking.

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