Despite the best efforts of everyone from Jamie Oliver to the first lady to yours truly, Americans continue to get more obese. Last year, obesity rates rose in more than half of US states, according to a new study by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. For the sixth year in a row, Mississippi earned the repeat title of fattest state. Eight states now have Read more

What began as an American epidemic has gone global and the health issues surrounding obesity are now felt around the world. According to a World Health Organization report, one billion adults are overweight worldwide and three million are considered obese. These figures prompted Reader's Digest to poll 16,000 people from 16 countries about weight and weight loss. While 70 percent of Russians Read more

Obesity seems to have reached a state of crisis in the United States: it's more harmful than smoking, junk food is as addictive as heroin, and the latest wave of reality shows are all about helping people lose weight to save their lives. Here's the good news — according to new data from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), obesity rates in America are not getting worse. But Read more

The Trust For America's Health compiles a report every year, detailing how our nation's obesity policies are failing. The report, titled F as in Fat, doesn't mince words, but it does break down the rates of obesity by state. For the fifth year in a row, Mississippi has the unfortunate distinction of topping the list with 32.5 percent of its adult population considered obese. The magnolia state Read more

A recent study from the American Journal of Preventative Medicine found that there are tried-and-true strategies to losing weight — and yes, they are exactly what you expect. The report tracked 4,000 obese adults for one year to see what worked and what didn't on their quest to lose weight. After a year, 40 percent of those on the study had lost over five percent of their weight, and 20 Read more

Today, the food world's gone into hyper-discussion mode over the fact that Paula Deen reportedly has diabetes. This isn't a first — we've been hearing rumors of her diabetes for a while now — but she's also reportedly signed on to be the spokesperson for a diabetes drug from pharmaceutical company Novartis. Paula Deen, who's been dubbed the Queen of Southern Cuisine, is known for her Read more

Do I look fat? Obsessing over body image and calories to the point of disordered eating is an affliction most commonly associated with young women and the glare of Hollywood, not with the sweet young things running around the playground. Sadly though, there's a disturbing trend that's seeing younger and younger children being treated for serious eating disorders. Reporting on the results of a Read more

Equal opportunity blame game! Moms tend to get disproportionately blamed when things with their children take a less than ideal turn. Whether it's trouble in school, difficulty making friends, or physical or mental health issues, it's the mamas who — according to most popular conceptions — bear the brunt of the responsibility. Which is why it's somewhat of a relief to see a study out this Read more