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.
Obesity
Airline Starts Charging Passengers by the Pound
An airline in Samoa is charging heavier passengers higher airfares, and making them weigh in at the airport. Could such a system ever take off with U.S. airlines?
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.
Tough Economy Takes a Surprising Toll on Babies
A rocky economy could adversely affect newborns, according to new research published in the journal Epidemiology. And the impacts on their health and well-being could last a lifetime.
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.