The increase of obesity in the United States doubled the number of inconclusive diagnostic imaging exams over a 15-year period, according to a study featured in the August issue of Radiology.Researchers assessed all radiology exams performed at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) between 1989 and 2003 to determine the effects of obesity on imaging quality and diagnosis.In an effort to quantify how obesity affects diagnostic imaging quality, Dr. [click link for full article]

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Ten million women and girls in theU.S. suffer from eating disorders and more people die from anorexia eachyear than from any other mental illness. Fortunately, for those individualsand families affected by eating disorders, help is available and recoveryis possible. [click link for full article]

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The waistlines of children continue to grow, along with the concern about the problem. Two University of Cincinnati researchers are recruiting a school, parents and children in fighting obesity as they test a new prevention program in Meade County, Ky. After spending spring conducting focus groups with children and their parents, the 12-week program, geared toward 129 fifth-graders, will be launched at an elementary school in Brandenburg, Ky., when school begins this fall. [click link for full article]

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Two of Australia’s leading obesity experts have rejected as “nonsense” criticism by the AMA and Labor Party of the $3 million obesity study initiative announced yesterday by Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott. [click link for full article]

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Teens at risk of developing diabetes can prevent or delay its onset through strength training exercise, a University of Southern California study has found. [click link for full article]

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Some of the most important weight-loss drugs work by enhancing the effect of the brain chemical serotonin. These include sibutramine (trade name Meridia) and fenfluramine, which was recalled after the combination with dexfenfluramine, called fen-phen, was linked to potentially fatal heart valve abnormalities.However, little has been known about the molecular mechanism by which serotonin suppresses appetite. [click link for full article]

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A study led by a UT Southwestern Medical Center researcher sheds light on how the brain chemical serotonin, when spurred by diet drugs such as Fen-phen, works to curb appetite.That knowledge could aid in the design of safer anti-obesity drugs nearly a decade after Fen-phen was banned for causing harmful side effects. [click link for full article]

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For years doctors have used the body mass index (BMI), a ratio of height and weight, to characterize the clinical weight status of their patients. The lower the number, the presumption goes, the leaner the person, and anyone with a BMI above 30 is characterized as obese and at high risk for the associated complications. [click link for full article]

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No wonder glucosamine andchondroitin products are top-selling dietary supplements. This popularcombination supplement offers exactly what modern nutrition should — asafe and natural way to promote joint health* rather than a short-termsolution to mask the emanating discomfort often associated with overworkedjoints. However, not all glucosamine and chondroitin products are createdequal. [click link for full article]

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The product, packed under the name of OPC CARE, was not registered under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance in Hong Kong. DH obtained a sample of the product from a woman for investigation after receiving a public enquiry on the safety of the product earlier this year. DH¡¦s investigation revealed that the product was brought to Hong Kong from the Mainland by this woman. [click link for full article]

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