ObesityEpidemic

Obese people do not just risk their own health; their health problems cripple the economy. GDP would be given a boost if the number of fat people fell sharply. The Obama administration has not made an attack on obesity part of its stimulus program. Maybe it should.

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.

In order to qualify to have lap band surgery, Kim Byrd had to gain weight. "I gained 10 pounds just to have the surgery," she says. Byrd's scale read 239 when she had the surgery. "Now I weigh 159." Her need to pack on even more weight in order to be labeled "obese" or "morbidly obese" has been...

If the waistlines of Americans continue to expand, the U.S. will fork out about $344 billion in medical-related expenses by 2018. That will use up about 21% of health care spending, according to the first analysis that examines just how heavy the price tag of being overweight is. The projections...

Americans are paying billions for what experts call "treatable illnesses." But the exorbitant amount we're paying, a new report says, is growing exponentially. Currently, the U.S. is spending more per capita on health care than any other nation. And much of this excess spending is going to treat...

Americans are throwing $2.2 trillion at rising health care costs. But experts say there's a way we can cut out as much as $1 trillion. "Take better care of ourselves," says Margaret Lewin, MD, medical director of Cinergy Health. It sounds simple. Take care of yourself, spend less on health...

Since the recession began, we've all been tightening our belts, but only metaphorically. As our finances have grown leaner, Americans' bellies continue to grow larger. Therefore, the question of how to increase net worth while decreasing net girth has been on my mind for a while -- like about 20...