Researchers from the World Health Organization (WHO) in Australia conducted a study recently to determine the amount of food consumed versus the amount of food people need to maintain weight.

The result? People are eating too much...

"Scientists measured the metabolism of almost 1,500 adults to determine how many calories their bodies burn under normal conditions. Then they calculated how many calories they’d need to maintain body weight. They figured out how much we’re eating today versus three decades ago by comparing agricultural data from then and now. They determined total food grown and imported, minus what was exported, thrown away or used for livestock."

Obesity can trim 10 years off life
USA Today -- By Nanci Hellmich

Weighing too much may take as much as a decade off your life, according a new analysis of studies that involved 900,000 people.

Adults who are obese — about 40 or more pounds over a healthy weight — may be cutting about three years off their lives, mostly from heart disease and stroke.

Those who are extremely obese, about 100 or more pounds over a healthy weight, could be shortening their lives by as many as 10 years, the study found.

Possible Therapy Targets Peanut Allergy
From the Associated Press

In an interesting study done at Duke University Medical Center and Arkansas Children's Hospital, medical doctors have seemingly gotten 5 children (all of whom had severe peanut allergies) to build up the tolerence to consume up to 15 peanuts without reaction.

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"A handful of children once severely allergic to peanuts now can munch them without worry. Scientists retrained their bodies to tolerate peanuts by feeding them tiny amounts of the very food that endangered them."

Some Experts No Longer Suggest Breast Self-Exams
From The Star Tribune (Minneapolis) -- By Maura Lerner

"For decades, doctors and advocacy groups have urged women to examine their breasts every month for unusual lumps.

Now many of those same experts have a different message: Never mind."

Click Read More to view full article

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Some general fitness tips for people who are just getting into working out. This goes for girls and guys.

Try to work out outside as much as possible.

Don't ever use machines. Always use free weights. Free weights increase balance, build stabilizers and give you more functional fitness.

Don't use the elliptical. What are you a total pansy? Give me a break. Ellipticals lower impact but increase stress due to awkwardly manipulating your gait. Run - the way every human in history did before you.

Click "read more" to see entire article

Protein pulls ahead on the post-workout menu
From USA Today -- By Janice Lloyd

"If you're an athlete who leans toward strenuous workouts, whether you pound the pavement or fly down black diamond ski slopes, it is time to tweak your recovery, sports nutritionists say."

The long-held belief from the late 1960s encouraging avid exercisers and elite athletes to rehydrate and to reload with carbohydrates is passé. Protein has muscled its way back into popularity.

I recently took this course and they referenced Warren G. Bennis. Thought you might like to read some of his quotes on Leadership.

1) Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple, and it is also that difficult.

2) Excellence is a better teacher than mediocrity. The lessons of the ordinary are everywhere. Truly profound and original insights are to be found only in studying the exemplary.

3) Failing organizations are usually over-managed and under-led.

4) Good leaders make people feel that they're at the very heart of things, not at the periphery.

5) Great things are accomplished by talented people who believe they will accomplish them.

Hit the jump to read the rest...

Marijuana, testicular cancer linked; Young men with early or heavy use appear to be at greatest risk.
By Mary Engel, Los Angeles Times

An interesting revelation which has been cited by many other news publications...

A recent study has linked adolescents who smoked pot to an increased risk of developing testicular cancer. Worth a read, if you're a pot smoker...then again, if you're a pot smoker you're probably too lazy to read the whole article. Hit the jump to read the whole LA Times article.

Food Marketers Cook Up 'Value' Campaigns
Soups and Cereals Stretch Meal Dollar but Make a Profit
From Julie Jargon of the Wall Street Journal

"Food companies hope to capitalize on the slumping economy by steering consumers to cheaper, high-margin products." For years, food companies have been trying to steer their customers towards their premium products which have higher profit margins, but in the current economy the American consumer has been cutting back. Purchasing lower cost products, purchasing in bulk, and skipping out altogether on premium products which are seen largely as a luxury that can no longer be afforded.

Though the article I'm referencing is largely focused around the perks of BCS Bowl Games for the players, coaches, schools, and associated towns from a financial standpoint...the article makes a brief pass at something that is a little bit more important - Graduation rates of football players.