Health-and-Fitness online information.

One hundred twenty-seven million Americans over the age of 20 are overweight. For guys between the ages of 18 and 39, obesity rates have doubled in the past 10 years. Obesity is the second-leading cause of preventable death behind smoking.

I could keep piling on fat stats until this page overflowed like a plate at the Kountry Kitchen Buffet. But I'm guessing you're already familiar with them. More likely, you're interested in what you can do about it all, which is why this issue includes a special report entitled "The War on Fat," starting on page 85.

Health and nutrition editor Brian Good and senior editor Rob Medich are the staffers responsible for putting this multi-story package together. The special section includes the personal weight-loss diary of a 300-pound journalist, a roundtable discussion with some of the nation's top weight-loss authorities, a look into the future of weight control, a Men's Fitness/Shape survey on body image (with some real surprises), and, of course, a roundup of the most important things you can do to win your own war on fat.

"This is about more than getting a six-pack," says Good. "Obesity is the biggest health issue facing our country, since so many diseases--diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, joint problems, even depression--stem from being overweight. Then there's the money--billions, actually--that obesity costs us annually in lost wages, sick days, medical expenses, and higher insurance premiums. What part of 'crisis' don't you understand?"

For Good, the most surprising aspect of the special was how much of a problem weight control was among the thousands of MF readers we surveyed--guys who are far fitter than average. Seventy-six percent of respondents, for example, wanted to drop a few pounds. So if you have trouble doing all the right things, you're not alone.

# posted by Medical Information : 1:48 AM