Obesity

Getting Paid to Lose Weight Really Works

Before you take another bite of that doughnut, think about this: If someone paid you $20 to put it down, would you? A new Mayo Clinic study shows that most people would.

Coke Touts Its Anti-Obesity Role - As It Lobbies for Giant Sodas

Coca-Cola's latest ad is 2-minute commercial touting it's commitment to reducing obesity by offering diet alternatives and smaller portion sizes. So why is the beverage giant also pouring money into a campaign to overturn New York City's ban on giant-sized, sugary drinks?

Junk Food: The Pariah That's Replacing Tobacco

Forget cigarettes: The big public health boogyman now is obesity. The idea that our growing waistlines pose a hefty threat to our financial well-being is gaining momentum, and all signs point to this trend having a big impact on public opinion and public policy.

The 10 Happiest Countries in the World

Once again, 24/7 Wall St. has examined the OECD's report on life satisfaction. And once again, the United States fails to make the top 10 happiest nations in the world. Which countries do? Some may surprise you.

How the (Finally Ended) Corn Ethanol Subsidy Made Us Fat

America's food chain has lately produced a bumper crop of scary news, but the worst food-related threat to our health was being caused by U.S. energy policy: Here's how the corn ethanol subsidy was making us fatter, and why to be glad that Congress finally killed it.

Fast Food: Filling Up Without Emptying Your Wallet

While many fast-food restaurants have added healthier options, most still focus on cheap, high-calorie, high-fat fare. But who provides the most calories per dollar? To find out where you can get the biggest bulge for your buck, we compared McDonald's, KFC and Taco Bell.

Why Sugar Is Suing High Fructose Corn Syrup

When you need to give yourself a whole new image, there's nothing like changing your name. Which may be why high fructose corn syrup, the scourge of dieticians and dieters everywhere, wants to rebrand itself "corn sugar." But there's one big obstacle: the sugar industry, which is going to court to protect its good name.

First Lady, Grocers Bring Stores to Food Deserts

As part of a plan to increase access to high-quality nutritious foods, First Lady Michelle Obama announced on Wednesday that she is teaming up with several of the country's largest food retailers. From healthier foods to new jobs, see what's in store for big chains like Walmart.

10 Most Unhealthy Fast-Food Items on America's Menu

America is getting heavier and less healthy every year, and our increasing consumption of fast food is at least partially to blame. 24/7 Wall St. examined the menus of the top 10 quick service restaurants to find the items that were the highest in calories, carbohydrates, sodium and saturated fat. Here's what they found:

Will Open Letter to McDonald's Bite Into Profits?

McDonald's got a letter from 550 health experts Wednesday accusing the fast food giant of ignoring the impact its products -- and its marketing -- have on America's children. It's not the first such criticism of McDonald's, but so far, the attacks don't appear to have hurt its sales.

What a Wild Year It Was
for Health Care

Led by the health insurance reform law, a flurry of drug and food recalls, key medical breakthroughs and plenty of layoffs and lawsuits, 2010 proved to be an exciting -- if not always positive -- year. Here's our rundown of the biggest health care stories.

Vivus Shares Rally on Hopes Obesity Drug Will Gain Approval Next Year

Vivus shares are soaring this morning, even though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected the drugmaker's obesity drug Qnexa yesterday. Investors are hoping that the FDA's rejection, which includes a request for more safety data -- not another clinical trial -- will lead to approval next year.

Former McDonald's Manager Not Lovin' His Weight Gain

McDonald's has lost a $17,500 lawsuit from a former franchise manager in Brazil, who says he put on 65 pounds during his 12 years of working for the chain. The former employee blames the company's policy of mandatory food sampling and free employee lunches for his weight gain.

Abbott Pulls Weight Loss Drug Meridia from Market

Drug and medical-device maker Abbott Laboratories announced Friday that it will voluntarily withdraw its controversial obesity drug Meridia, (sibutramine) from the U.S. market at the request of the FDA, due to concerns it increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Life Expectancy: The U.S. Falls Short, Despite High Spending

A new study from Columbia University finds that the reasons America is lagging other countries aren't the commonly cited obesity, smoking, traffic fatalities and homicide. Rather, the problem has been poor health care, or rather, a poor health care system.

New Study: Obesity Is Bad for Your Bottom Line

Obesity is expensive. Each year, obese American men pay an additional $2,646 to carry their extra weight, while obese women pay $4,879. That's the surprising result of a new study on the individual cost of obesity.

FDA Panel Votes Against Arena's Diet Drug

Another diet drug, Arena Pharmaceuticals's Iorcaserin, appears to be in danger after a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted to reject it Thursday.

Daily Blogwatch: Are All Hedge Funds Scams?

Among Tuesday's top stories for investors: How do dividend-paying stocks stack up against non-dividend-paying stocks? Is Facebook making it easier for stalkers? Are all hedge funds scams?

Orexigen Shares Soar on Partnership Deal With Takeda

Orexigen jumped over 25% in premarket trading after announcing an exclusive partnership agreement potentially worth over $1 billion with Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical to develop and commercialize Contrave, Orexigen's promising obesity drug.

'Fructose-Slurping' Cancer Could Sour the Soda Business

Soda and processed-food makers insist that all sugars are the same. Yet with studies linking fructose to obesity, diabetes and, most recently, pancreatic cancer, big brands are quietly backing away from using corn-based high-fructose sweetener. Could it eventually become another tobacco-like liability?