Health Risks Rising as Obesity Rates Triple Among Young Americans

Condiments containing lipids - fats and cholesterols. Stock photo.

It’s easy to look around and see that obesity rates are on the rise. The shocker is by how much and how fast.

In the past three decades, obesity among young American has increased from five percent to more than 17 percent, according to Ashleigh May, an epidemic intelligence officer in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s division for heart disease and stroke prevention.

“Overweight and obese young people are at far greater risk of having abnormal lipid levels than young people with normal weights,” said Ms. May, commenting the agency’s latest report - Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to Prevent Obesity in the United States.

Lipids are basically fats, such as triglyceride and steroids, like cholesterol. “Abnormal lipid levels are major risk factors for heart disease,” said Ms. May, adding that, “typically heart disease develops in adulthood, but its risk factors - such as abnormal lipid levels, and being overweight or obese - often emerge during childhood or adolescence.”

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FDA Seeks the Nationwide Recall of 69 Tainted Diet Pill Brands

Photo courtesy of Wineinyourdiet.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting consumers not to purchase 69 diet pill brands because they contain undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients that could pose health risks to consumers.

The FDA has inspected a number of unspecified companies associated with the sale of these illegal products, and is currently seeking recalls. The agency advises consumers who have used these products to stop taking them and consult their doctors immediately.

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