Obesity remains a socially acceptable injustice and often referred to as “the last acceptable form of discrimination.” Overweight individuals are often the subject of jokes in the media which can translate to real life discrimination. In this article, printed with permission of the Obesity Action Coalition, Rebecca Phul, PhD discusses the difference between “stigma” and “discrimination” and what legal ramifications, if any, can take place to protect overweight individuals

There has been a lot of controversy lately regarding soda, sugary drinks and their link to obesity. Some lawmakers have even proposed extra taxes on these beverages to help curb the problem. In this article, printed with permission of the Obesity Action Coalition, Dr. Rodrick D. McKinlay discusses the role liquid calories play in obesity among children.

Are you taking the time to learn what exactly is in the food you eat? Last week the Surgical Specialists of Louisiana shared the first part of a feature article by Jacqueline Jacques, ND that explained the types of items consumers should look for in a food label. This week are are pleased to share the conclusion of this article and reprinted with the permission of the Obesity Action Coalition.

Research has long linked obesity to such negative health conditions as high blood pressure, sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes. One commonly overlooked, yet very serious, risk of obesity is cancer. A pivotal study released in 2003 followed more than 900,000 adults for sixteen years. When these men and women were enrolled in the study they were cancer free, but over the duration of the study, more than

As a young adult, Stephen Head of Lecompte, Louisiana, injured himself falling out of a tree and slowly began to gain weight. Although he often made solid efforts at weight loss, once losing over 80 lbs, the weight came back as soon as he stopped dieting.

The 4th Annual Walk From Obesity, sponsored by Southern Surgical Hospital, in conjunction with The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana, took place Saturday, November 14th in Slidell’s Olde Towne Historic District. The Walk From Obesity is the only annual nation-wide event to increase the awareness of the life threatening disease of obesity.

Many patients undergoing bariatric surgery often wonder if they will need plastic surgery to remove excess skin after they’ve lost weight. This is not always the case. Depending on your age and the elasticity of your skin you may see your body return to a somewhat normal state.

Could where you live actually determine how long you live? According to the United Health Foundation, it can!

For those patients who have struggled with weight their whole life, bariatric surgery may seem like the final solution. It’s true that, for the morbidly obese, weight loss surgery is known to be the most effective and long-lasting treatment. But surgery is only the first step. Successful weight loss comes from an ongoing mental and emotional commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

It comes as no surprise that the United States is suffering from an obesity epidemic. Over the past thirty years, the number of Americans classified as overweight or obese has, according to the CDC, nearly doubled. Today about 21.6% of adults in the United States are obese.