Rise in stroke cases in young Americans

The American Stroke Association reports that the number of young and middle aged Americans having strokes has significantly increased because of obesity.

September is National Preparedness Month 2010

Obesity: A Philadelphia Crisis
Obesity has become a public health crisis in Philadelphia.

In 2008, 64% of adults and 57% of children were overweight or obese.

In some Philadelphia neighborhoods, almost 70% of children are overweight or obese. Obesity and being overweight are major risk factors for heart disease, many forms of cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

Obesity afflicts all races, this epidemic is especially prevalent for African Americans

While obesity afflicts all races, this epidemic is especially prevalent for African Americans. Nearly 39 percent of African American children ages 6 to 19 are overweight or obese, according to a study this year in the Journal of the American Medical Association. African American children are also likelier to get diabetes than white children.

Health groups try to figure out why Chester County is healthier than neighboring York County

York County’s obesity rates are much higher than Chester’s.

Einstein Healthcare Network to Commission Fruit & Vegetable Study

3-month study will investigate purchase of fruits and vegetables in urban areas.

Obese Women Experience more Problems during Pregnancy

Obesity can cause a variety of problems during pregnancy, for both the mother and the child.

Philly’s City Council Votes Today on Budget that May Include Soda Tax

Mayor Nutter’s soda tax may be revisited at today’s city council vote; Nutter cites the tax as a way to fight obesity and the financial crisis.

FDA will soon review 3 new anti-obesity drugs

Currently, just two anti-obesity drugs are approved for long-term treatment, and medical practitioners say both can cause undesirable side effects in many patients, reports the Wall Street Journal.

U.S. sugar group says sugar is being unfairly blamed for obesity epidemic

The sugar industry especially takes exception to contentions that sugar is an evil ingredient in soda.

Philly is Most Obese of America’s 10 Largest Cities

Since the Mayor proposed a soda tax there has been much talk about health issues plaguing Philadalphia, obesity being number one. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on the fattest big city in America, how they got there, and what can be done to make a change.