obesity

My friend Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, on his excellent blog Weighty Matters, says, “Yes,” obesity should be an election issue — and he’s right.

Of all of the fates that aging can bring, Alzheimer's disease — which afflicts 34 million people worldwide — is understandably one of the most feared. It's characterized by a mental deterioration that leaves the inflicted unrecognizable to family and friends, which is eventually accompanied by a swift physical decline. But are there steps we can take to avoid contracting Alzheimer's?

The Japanese are known for longevity, and their genetics, healthcare system, diet and broader lifestyle have all been mined for decades for clues about maximizing lifespan.

Big budget commercials will have you laughing (and cringing); Telus will unlock your phone for $50; a service that writes your online dating profile for you; babies fed solid food before four months are more likely to be obese; and we’re one step closer to a universal flu vaccine.

Perhaps at no other time in our cultural history have we been as preoccupied with the way we look physically. It’s an interest (bordering on obsession) that not surprisingly coincides with an increasing epidemic of obesity among adults, children—even pets.