An increasing number of men are now undergoing breast reduction surgery in a bid to improve their physical appearance.

New figures reveal a vast amount of men are opting for procedures such as surgery for gynaecomastia (commonly known as ‘man boobs’). More than 320 of these operations were performed last year, compared with just 22 five years ago.

With space in its aircraft cabins tight and passengers complaining about extra-large seatmates, United Airlines says it now will bump severely overweight passengers from sold-out flights.

Passengers who are too large to fit comfortably in a single coach seat will be required to buy two tickets on the next flight or upgrade to business class, where seats are larger, if United's flight attendants can't find two open seats for them.

Chicago-based United decided to adopt the tougher policy after receiving more than 700 complaints last year from passengers "who did not have a comfortable flight because the person next to them infringed on their seat," United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said Wednesday.

The School Committee is fighting a law, but the law may just win.

The board voted Tuesday night to send a letter to the state saying that unless they were paid up front, they would not comply with a new law requiring schools to screen students for their body mass index.

The state says it's not that simple.

A diet containing tart cherries may help reduce the symptoms of metabolic syndrome and the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan and presented at the annual meeting of the American Dietetic Association.

The study was funded by the Cherry Marketing Institute, which did not have any involvement in its design, implementation or analysis.

High fructose corn syrup, or HFCS, certainly has been given a lot of attention recently (Environmental Nutrition, November 2008). The increase in obesity coinciding with HFCS in the diet has made HFCS a scapegoat by associating it with obesity, diabetes, cancer, dental problems and elevated blood lipids (maybe even dirty sinks). Cause and effect have not yet been proved.

You are probably that excess weight increases your risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and metabolic syndrome.

But did you know being overweight also increases risk factors for a host of other problems such as difficulty breathing, sleep apnea, gallbladder disease, pregnancy complications, osteoarthritis and skin problems?

Obesity, which occurs when an individual is seriously overweight, is a dangerous condition which can lead to chronic and morbid health conditions, if not managed early. The best approach to tackle obesity is via dietary and lifestyle changes, which can be optimally carried out under the supervision of a qualified nutritionist. However, obesity is so dangerous, that in some individuals, it may be necessary to try and resolve this condition via surgery.

Dr. George Kichura looked at Marc Leeke and his blood tests last fall and diagnosed him with metabolic syndrome.

Leeke, 50, of Ballwin, Mo., weighed 258 pounds (too heavy), had triglyceride levels near 300 (twice what they should be) and low HDL levels (that's the good cholesterol). He was also complaining of becoming tired and winded while working in his yard.

A Saskatchewan woman who has spent thousands of dollars in the last several years on surgical treatment for obesity has undergone another round in the operating room as doctors removed sagging folds of skin.

Tess Boehm has shared her experience in the hopes of helping others who face serious health issues with obesity.