Health News and Information

Summary of main points. • Biological influences on obesity include age, sex, race, hormonal factors (such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause) and a wide range of genetic factors and interactions between these. • Recent findings have isolated a number of genes associated with various aspects of obesity such as hunger and food preference. • The [...]

Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR). The term metabolism describes the sum total of the thousands of dynamic chemical reactions that occur in the body to sustain life RMR is the sum total of energy needed to keep the body going at rest. It can be likened to an idling engine. The synthesis of new tissue, for [...]

For Ann Marie Grathwol, losing weight and keeping it off was just a matter of keeping her mouth occupied. Weary of hauling around an extra 35 pounds, Ann Marie plunged into an exercise program at her local gym, became a vegetarian, and swore off fried foods. The changes were dramatic—and successful: After several months, she [...]