Probiotics are the so-called ‘good’ bacteria found in yogurt as well as in over-the-counter dietary supplements that help in the digestion of food.

For Turpin, the registered and licensed dietitian at the Conway Regional Fitness Center, the vanished heftiness translates into a fortuitous sequel for her weight management support group.

Osteoarthritis usually progresses slowly, but some patients experience a more rapid progression. This is the first study to connect obesity with fast progression of the disease and cartilage loss.

THE overwhelming sentiment you get from talking to people in many walks of life in the US is that there is a bit to go with the effects of the recession on their economy and livelihoods.

With the US economy heavily dependent upon household consumption as a driver of overall economic growth and investment, what the American people feel about and can afford to spend in the future is highly relevant to the economies that supply US retail stores.

Before you read this story, please suspend any biases you may have about fat people.

Now consider this question: If it saved you money for morbidly obese people to have weight loss surgery, would you suggest they do it?

Obesity considerably increases the risk of developing many chronic illnesses and is on the fast track to becoming one of the largest public health concerns.

A recent study has suggested that, along with its close ties to the development of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers, maternal obesity significantly increases the risk of congenital defects amongst children.

We have now entered the second half of the year and it is only six months to 2010. It's time to reflect on the progress of our new year's resolutions.

Are you on track with your goals? If you wanted to lose 30lbs, are you down 15lbs already? If your goal was to have done 200 workouts, have you completed 100? If your goals were financial, to make an extra €10,000 this year, are you on track?