Your socioeconomic background has less impact on your chances of obesity if you’re a man than if you’re woman, according to a new analysis from the National Center for Health Statistics. Women who were better educated and wealthier were less likely to be obese than their less educated and poorer counterparts, but the same effect was not seen in men.

Interestingly, for men of color — blacks and Mexican Americans — higher income actually increased the odds that they were obese.

Study: The Complicated Link Between Wealth and Obesity – TIME Healthland

Once a mainstay of the school day, physical education classes have fallen by the wayside for many American students, despite a massive push by doctors, nutritionists and even the first lady to get children more active.

But physical education advocates say more and more students are being allowed to opt out of gym class in favor of activities like marching band, ROTC, even an extra art class.

Students in some school districts are even allowed to complete their physical education requirements online ; They promise to exercise on their own time and just click their way through to course completion.

Students Opting Out of Phys Ed Classes Despite Obesity Epidemic – ABC News

Before dipping your hand into that bowl of M&Ms at the holiday party, think about what you’re about to do. A lot. A new study finds that people who imagine themselves consuming many pieces of candy eat less of the real thing when given the chance. The finding, say experts, could lead to the development of better weight-loss strategies.

To Eat Less, Imagine Eating More – ScienceNOW

First Lady Michelle Obama plans to warn in remarks Monday that the nation is seeing “a groundswell of support” for curbing childhood obesity, and she is unveiling new ammunition from current and retired military leaders.

“[M]ilitary leaders … tell us that when more than one in four young people are unqualified for military service because of their weight,” the first lady says in prepared remarks, “childhood obesity isn’t just a public health threat, it’s not just an economic threat, it’s a national security threat as well.”

Michelle Obama has new warning on obesity – Mike Allen – POLITICO.com

FAST-food giant KFC has sparked outrage from health experts by offering Christmas gift cards worth up to $500 as the nation battles an obesity crisis.

KFC outlets have been promoting the cards, ranging in value from $10 to $500 and to be used within 12 months, as a “thoughtful gift idea for any occasion”.

A $500 card could purchase a fat banquet of 14 buckets of “Original Recipe” chicken pieces, containing 4.5kg of fat and 1.8kg of saturated fat; 63 maxi serves of “Popcorn Chicken” 2.8kg of fat and 1.25kg saturated fat or 78 “Original Works Burgers” 1.6kg fat, 592g saturated fat.

The “tasty new gift idea” has attracted outrage and disbelief from health experts in Queensland struggling to combat a growing obesity epidemic.

Fury over $500 KFC gift cards as nation battles obesity crisis | News.com.au

Even though the statistics about overweight Americans are true (around a whopping 68 percent), a recent study examined what the average European looks like and it’s not what you might expect.

The study revealed that more than half of most adults in Europe believe that they are overweight. The report which was recently issued introduces a new idea that Americans previously thought differently. Over the last twenty years or so, the obesity statistics have been rising in countries all over Europe.

Obesity Hits Europe: Fat Problem

Call it the McVictim syndrome. Too many pundits, public health experts and politicians are working overtime to find scapegoats for America’s obesity epidemic.

The McVictim syndrome spins a convenient — and unhealthy — narrative on America’s emerging preventable disease crisis. McVictimization teaches Americans to think that obesity is someone else’s fault — and therefore, someone else’s problem to solve.

The truth: In the vast majority of cases, obesity is a preventable condition. So those of us in the medical community must be candid with overweight patients about the risks they face and the rewards of better health choices. But it’s also time for American policymakers to show the same level of candor.

Food; health; obesity; No one’s a ‘victim’ of obesity – latimes.com

In the next few months when you go to the doctor, do not be shocked if the doctor does not suggest old fashion diet and exercise to lose excess weight, but instead medicine.

The Food and Drug Administration, FDA, has granted approval to the new obesity drug, Contrave.

Contrave is an investigational solution for treating obesity. It combines two components – naltrexone SR and bupropion SR. The combination of the two drugs acts complementary in the central nervous system and they are believed to address the biological and behavioral drivers of obesity.

The average person is supposed to lose five percent of their body fat when taking the drug.

Contrave: Contrave Obesity Drug Gets FDA Approval | Long Island Press

The slim, fit-looking president of Botswana — considered one of Africa’s most eligible bachelors — says he is finally ready to get married but made it clear that overweight women need not apply.

President Ian Khama, 57, has never been married, but at a political party meeting last month he said his top requirement for a future wife is that she needs to be tall, slim and beautiful – in a country known for short, heavy set women.

To drive the point home he pointed to the Assistant Minister of Local Government Botlhogile Tshreletso and said, “I don’t want one like this one. She may fail to pass through the door, breaking furniture with her heavy weight and even break the vehicle’s shock absorbers.”

Fat Thanks to Anant P. for the tip!

Botswana President Ian Khama Describes Perfect Wife As Tall and Slim; Insults Female Minister – ABC News

Congress is passionately debating whether open homosexuality is compatible with military service. But even as this particular culture war seems headed to resolution, a new emerging cultural divide is tearing at military efficiency: obesity and overweight.

In 2008, some 634 military personnel were discharged for transgressing “don’t ask, don’t tell.” That same year, 4,555 were discharged for failing to meet military weight standards.

Why obesity is a national security threat – CNN.com