The obesity epidemic in America has put diabetes front and center as a potential risk for many Americans. According to a recent ABC news story Alec Baldwin joined the ranks of those diagnosed as prediabetic. 

The obesity epidemic in the United States continues to dominate headlines. A recent Los Angeles Times story raises the question whether or not you can trust your doctor to tell you the truth about your weight.

Longer hours are part of the economic landscape for most Americans. A recent study in the Los Angeles Times reported that people who worked over 11.5 hours were likely to suffer depression and other illnesses. 

January and February are among the months with the highest risk for contracting the pesky flu. As most people know when it goes untreated it can be not just miserable but deadly. 

For most of us the term drifter conjures up the idea that a person has no home of their own. According to a recent industry article a drifter can also be a cosmetic surgeon with no permanent practice location. 

Many people look for solutions to inactivity that is inevitable with a desk type of job. A new solution combines a treadmill and a working desk.

Many people fear becoming less mobile as they age.  Most runners dread getting older if it means they have to stop running.

When struggling for news it is not uncommon to see hype built around what happens in a very small segment of the population. The hype around butt augmentation is one of them.

Most of us are familiar with the term irritable bowel syndrome.  A recent study concluded that the risks of developing it are less for those of us who live in sunny states.

We expect athletes to be strong and to be in enviable physical shape. When  they get older and put on weight it seems they turn to diet programs and products.

I It is very hard to believe in this day and age that anyone would consider having plastic surgery with full knowledge that the plastic surgeon is not licensed. But,it still happens here in the United States, where you would expect it to happen the least.

Bethenny Frankel has made a successful career helping women take the stress out of staying thin, healthy, and enjoying life.

You do not have to look very far to find someone who has suffered a hangover. As the new year approaches many expect to join the ranks of sufferers.

January is the diet month of the year. Cloaked in New Year's resolutions marketing companies live for this month.

Patients, who have plastic surgery, sometimes neglect to protect their investment. After surgery, it is imperative for patients to follow a good exercise regimen as well as a balanced diet.  Some patients consider their surgery to be the final decision rather than a process. Plastic surgery procedures can provide a dramatic difference; however, in most every case a diligent follow-up routine is required for the best long-term results. 

It is not surprising that the wealthiest countries have a larger percentage of obesity in their population.

If you have been married a while it is not uncommon to feel as though you are sick of your spouse. A Los Angeles Times article looks at a study that finds that your marriage could really be affecting your health.

The quest to find the next effective weight loss drug available by prescription is a long road. Many drugs are submitted for approval, and many drugs are rejected by the FDA.

Modern conveniences have put most everything we could ever want right at our fingertips. Some say the price is obesity.

It appears as though the measure of what Americans consider fat ,or a person's" ideal "body weight has changed over the years.

Keeping up with the reports concerning the benefits and drawbacks of drinking alcohol can be dizzying. While some reports tout the benefits others warn of deadly long-term effects.

It has long been known that exercise benefits the health both physically and mentally. Recently a new study showed this to be especially true among women.

It is quite difficult to maintain a positive attitude with information overload a 24-hour occurrence. A recent Reader’s Digest article offered some helpful tips on maintaining a healthy and positive attitude. According to the article no matter how hard things become, there are ways to approach your situation that can make it less burdensome. 

Aging does not have to be an unpleasant experience.  A recent industry online article pointed out the reasons our attitude towards aging have so much to do with how we feel and our level of self-esteem. Vivian Diller, a psychologist, former model and dancer as well as the co-author of the book “Face It: What Women Really Feel as Their Looks Change,” discussed the many ways women cope with getting older. 

The abuse of prescription pain medications has become fairly common as far as media coverage is concerned. According to ABC newsVicodin and other narcotic pain medications from the schedule 3 class are under review to be moved to a more tightly controlled schedule 2 class.

America has labeled itself the melting pot and Los Angeles is known as a city of cultural diversity. Perhaps, that is why an exhibit called ”Beauty CULTure” on display here is such a treat.  According to CNN correspondent Alana Dawson, our beauty icons have become more diverse, a topic she wrote about after visiting the “Beauty CULTure” — an exhibit of more than 170 images by renowned photographers at the Annenberg Space in L.A. 

The economy has finally shed some attention on plastic surgery and unqualified doctors performing surgical procedures. According to the Los Angeles Times the woman who is being highlighted in the new American Society of Plastic Surgeons campaign against unqualified doctors performing plastic surgery, is from California. 

As women age certain health risk are increased.  One disease women should be concerned about is heart disease.  Many call it the silent killer. 

The cost of obesity is tallied in the media quite often.  But ,few people think about the additional cost to buy healthier foods. According to an online women’s magazine health food can sometimes cost more than four times as much as junk food. 

We love good health news that includes chocolate as a plus in our diet. A recent Swedish study found a link between preventing stokes and adding chocolate to a woman’s diet. The findings, released today, appear in the Oct. 18 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 

A new law signed by the governor is designed to protect patients who are having surgery in outpatient surgery centers. The new law will require that the surgery centers are inspected regularly and are subject to surprise visits. 

  No it is not out of a science fiction novel. According to an industry online publication scientists in Australia are studying the regeneration of tails on alligators to determine if the same ability can be mimicked for patients who have had a mastectomy. 

As women age medical professionals recommend regular exercise and a healthy diet to improve longevity and quality of life. A new study says that moderate exercise can be extremely beneficial without the added stress and intensity of a new work out regimen.

The hot news right now is that liposuction may in fact have health benefits instead of just cosmetic benefits. This is huge,and is set to be presented at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons conference in Denver this Sunday.  

A new study claims that obese people have a difficult time controlling real food impulses. Their uncontrollable urges are suspected to the be reason behind their obesity.

Consumers seem to be anxious to try new health and wellness drinks, and supplements with little or no solid testing behind them. From a marketing perspective if a celebrity is tied to product, it seems to generate even more sales quickly.

Anyone who has been to a public gathering recently will confirm that soda is still very much a public favorite. The amount of sugar in these drinks vary from a lot… to a whole lot. Of greatest concern is the fact that sugary drinks are likely to add pounds to the waist line

We have heard for years that chocolate is good for your heart. Now another study confirms it yet again. No one advises that people consume unlimited amounts. As a matter of fact this study states that there is no proven correct dosage so moderation is the recommendation.

If the new study is correct and half of all adults by 2030 are obese, then plastic surgery as we know it will have a different type of patient. Currently breast augmentation remains the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure followed by liposuction. 

 A new study found the trial and error was effective for older adults. This is not the case when it comes to plastic surgery. Dr. O’Toole stresses to his patients especially those who are older that plastic surgery procedures can have many irreversible consequences.

 There is a concern among Californians that Hookah use has become more popular and widely used among young adults. Although proponents say that the product is harmless medical officials say that it carries the same dangers as smoking tobacco.

 It has been a long-held belief that a glass of wine or a nice stiff drink is just the thing to give a person a great night of sleep. A new report disputes that belief.

 Most women can relate to the uncomfortable look and feel of a bloated stomach along with constipation. Not only is it uncomfortable it is embarrassing for many to talk about. Wardrobe choices can be severely limited when the stomach protrudes. But, what if it is not bloating or constipation? Could it be unwanted fat in the lower abdomen

 The effects of dieting beyond losing weight can be very damaging. This not only applies to your health but also to your appearance. Dr. O’Toole explains to patients after having surgeries including abdominoplasty, liposuction, or breast augmentation that weight gain can affect their results after surgery.

 Although not FDA approved, counterfeit morning-after pills may have made their way into our local market.

 We have all heard the old saying something is better than nothing. This appears to be true when referring to exercise programs. Dr. O’Toole explains to his body contouring patients whether they have had traditional liposuction,Smart Lipo, or abdominoplasty, regular exercise and a proper diet will be an important part of maintaining great results.

 Vitamins as a means for great health are nothing new. As a matter of fact the industry is worth billions. A new treatment now available allows patients to have an in fusion of vitamins intravenously.

 Most people would never have imagined that the pricing of prescription drugs would be so astronomical that it would cause patients to creatively stretch their medications.

 Living in an urban area may in fact be healthier a recent study found. One thing is certain, in urban areas especially Los Angeles plastic surgery choices are abundant

 It is not always true that art imitates life. The new Capt. America movie takes a scrawny looking man and seemingly effortlessly turns him into a muscular super hero. It is not unusual for patients to believe that plastic surgery works like the magic of the camera.

 Unless you have spent the last decade and a half under a rock then you should know that obesity is a major problem in America. Lack of exercise and activity by most accounts is the root of the problem

 With diabetes on the rise globally scientists are scrambling to find a cure. Type II diabetes which is a huge risk in the obese population can be cured in many patients once they lose the excess weight. After the weight loss has taken place it is not unusual for patients to have large amounts of loose and lax skin.

 People who are good about diet and exercise including counting their calories can become discouraged rather quickly when they are unable to lose weight. It is most discouraging for those who have only about 10 to 15 pounds to lose.

 A sedentary lifestyle can be to blame for body appearance as well as health. It is not uncommon especially for people who sit for long periods of time to complain of fat in areas that are unattractive.

 Men have different concerns about their appearance than women. For most men their hair is most important. Followed closely by their abdomen and chest.

 The fitness industry is a multi-million dollar industry. Consumers especially men are anxious to find a way to have a flat and toned abdomen. Dr. O’Toole explains to his patients that liposuction is an excellent option for flattening and toning the waistline. Patients need to be at or near their ideal body weight. Dr. O’Toole offers traditional liposuction as well as Smart Lipo.

According to ABC 7 a new study has found that a low-sodium diet may actually increase the risk of dying from heart attack or stroke, but the findings have generated some controversy.

According to ABC use it or lose it. You might have heard that saying in regards to maintaining muscle. But as we age, we’ve got a host of issues, such as work, family, aches and pains, which seem to get in our way of fitness goals.

According to The Los Angeles Times psoriasis isn’t just an itchy, unsightly skin disease, researchers say -- it’s also linked to an increased risk of heart disease, abdominal fat, stroke, type 2 diabetes and other cardiovascular issues that together make up what’s known as metabolic syndrome.

According to NBC LA exercise is good, but if you really want to lose weight, chill out and take a nap.

A new study found that people who get between six and eight hours of sleep every day and are under the least amount of stress had the easiest time shedding 10 pounds over a six-month period.

According to My Fox LA as scientists race to find a biological cause for chronic fatigue syndrome, long considered by many doctors to exist in patients’ heads, the National Institutes of Health could shed new light on the debate at a major scientific workshop on the disorder.

According to ABC 7 news as they approach menopause, many women experience serious symptoms like hot flashes, trouble sleeping and mood swings.

Doctors can prescribe hormone-replacement thapy, but some women are looking for drug-free alternatives.

According to Fox it turns out a beer a day may keep the doctor away, The Advertiser reported Tuesday citing a Spanish study.

The study of 1,249 men and women over the age of 57 found those who drank moderate amounts of ale and lager reduced their risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.

According to ABC 7 people who consumed higher amounts of fiber, particularly from grains, had a significantly lower risk of dying over a nine-year period compared to those who consumed lower amounts of fiber, a new National Institutes of Health study released online Monday claims.

According to The Los Angeles Times Health officials said on Monday they have launched a cross-country measles watch for anyone who might have been exposed to a contagious airline passenger who traveled through four major U.S. airports.

According to The Los Angeles Times prescription devices that pull the lower jaw forward can relieve snoring and are often effective for mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea, says Dr. Barbara Phillips, a sleep specialist at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and a board member of the National Sleep Foundation.

According to The Los Angeles Times a California lawmaker is targeting the obesity epidemic with a tax that would slap a penny-an-ounce levy on drinks sweetened with sugar or corn syrup.

According t0  The Los Angeles Times stimulus money, where did it all go? Some went to sending women to Weight Watchers and a local gym to help them get in shape before they start having children.

According to KTLA a singer is being sought for questioning in connection with the death of a woman following a cosmetic procedure, police said Friday.

According to ABC  a new study finds that strokes are increasing dramatically among young and middle-aged Americans.

Scientists think it may be due to the rise in obesity. Researchers analyzed Federal records and found the sharpest rise was 51 percent among men aged 15 through 34-years-old.

According to The Los Angeles Times no one really knows what dreams are for. But evolutionary psychologists theorize that humans started dreaming to promote survival by “rehearsing” adaptive responses to challenges.

According to The Los Angeles Times we hate to nag, really. But maybe that wadded-up bag of Cheetos is a sign that your get-healthy resolve is wearing thin — and just two weeks into 2011. 

These 11 tips from family doctor Amy Balka in the Health Notes blog of the Newport News Daily Press emphasize exercise, weight loss and more. Here are a few that bear repeating:

“Cook at home. Not only is it healthier a lot of times to eat at home, sitting down for a meal together is also really important for the family as a whole. It promotes family bonding and mental health, she said.

According to  a writer for The Los Angeles Times she made a plea to Oprah which read in part: Dear Oprah: Those health guests may not be so healthful. Dr. Christiane Northrup, Rhonda Byrne, Geneen Roth and Tony Robbins may be leading you astray. For better results, and to learn to love exercise, try these people instead.

According to MYFoxLA web retailers rang up a very merry Christmas this year, with Americans going online to buy electronics, jewelry and even clothing in record amounts this season, according to several new reports cited by The Wall Street Journal Friday.

According to The Los Angeles Times salvia turned up on the pop culture radar last week after Miley Cyrus, caught on a video using a bong, said she was smoking salvia, not marijuana. So what’s the difference? Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have been looking into that very thing.

According to The Los Angeles Times coping, is something  some families are forced to  do during the holidays. Change is inevitable: Divorce, marriage, children, illness, death — all alter the dynamic of family get-togethers. The trick is to adapt and craft new traditions when the old ones vanish.

The FDA has its doubts about the marketing being done by facilities offering Lipodissolve.