Number Of Americans In Excellent Or Good Health Has Declined

The New York Times reports on health in the U.S. “The percentage of people who reported having excellent or very good health declined to 66.6 percent in the 2009 period, from 69.1 percent in 1998. Americans report that they have been exercising more. Nevertheless, more than a quarter were obese in 2009 (with a body mass index of 30 or more), up from 19.5 percent in 1997…

Broad Study On Child Obesity

Childhood obesity is directly related to how close kids live to convenience stores, according to the preliminary findings of a major Canadian study presented at the Entretiens Jacques-Cartier in Lyon, France. The ongoing study is named QUALITY for Quebec Adipose and Lifestyle InvesTigation in Youth…

Obesity Among Other Issues Debated In Health Reform

Among other issues making news in the health care reform debate are people’s weight, benefits for homosexual partners, the debate over interstate insurance and the timeline for implementing any changes. The New York Times on the weight issue.

North Carolina To Penalize Smokers, The Obese; States Face Medicaid Cliff

State news Thursday explores Medicaid cuts, highlighting a new North Carolina policy for state employees – they pay more if they’re heavy or smoke – and examines San Francisco’s unusual city health program for the uninsured. Charlotte Observer: North Carolina is poised to become only the second state to penalize state employees by placing them in a more expensive health insurance plan if they’re obese.

Workplace Wellness Programs: Good For Health Costs?

Some companies offer discounts to healthy employees, but patient advocates fear such wellness programs could be unfair. NPR’s Renee Montagne interviews Safeway Inc. CEO Steve Burd, who “says employees receive a discount on their health insurance if their body mass index is below 30, the number over which people are considered obese.