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Discusses the reasons why large numbers of Americans are overweight or obese. Statistics on obesity among adults and children; Statistics on the rapid increase in the numbers of overweight people over the past two decades; Details of the health problems associated with obesity, and statistics on the cost of treating obesity-related illnesses; Results of polls of Americans about their attitudes towards weight loss; Discussion of the theory that the tendency among people to overeat may stem from human evolution; Discussion of how the Western lifestyle encourages overeating; Description of the Stone Age diet; Effects of the introduction of meat into the diet; Description of the levels of exercise involved in hunting and gathering; Effects of the introduction of agriculture on human health; Effects of the invention of cars and other machinery on levels of exercise; Effects of the mass production of food on the human diet; Discussion of recent efforts by scientists, policymakers and educators to combat the trend towards obesity; Speculation about whether Americans are starting to slim down; Need for an anti-obesity public health campaign.

The article suggests ways to eat smarter and healthier. It's 6: 45 p.m. After a bruising day at the office and a hair-raising commute on the freeway, you are standing in the kitchen about to prepare a healthy, satisfying dinner for your spouse, your two school-age children and yourself. You dump a box of thin spaghetti into a pot of boiling water, zap 3 cups of green beans in the microwave, pop a loaf of frozen garlic bread into the toaster oven and pour a medium-size jar of marinara sauce into a saucepan to simmer. While this meal may be better than what most Americans eat for dinner, it's enough food for a family twice the size of yours. You may think you are eating right, but by making subtle changes in what you eat and how you eat it, you could start eating considerably healthier. INSET: Phytochemicals.

Presents a list of medicine-related topics form the year 2002 in alphabetical order. Topics covered including the Atkins diet, botox, cloning, hormone replacement therapy; mammography, smallpox, vaccines, West Nile virus and Zoloft; Others.

Examines weight-loss diets, in light of research on low-fat and low-carbohydrate diets. View that the low-carbohydrate diet of Dr. Robert Atkins is gaining credibility; The high percentage of adults in the U.S. who are overweight or obese; Research on the biology of obesity; Speculation on why Americans make unhealthy food choices; Focus on diets geared for life rather than quick weight loss; Discussion of carbohydrates, dairy products and fats; Outlook for an optimal postmodern diet. INSET: EATING IN THE EXTREME.

Discusses the risks and benefits of vegetarian meals. Reasons to eat meat, including the idea that it an American tradition; Topics of human nutrition, animal rights, and vegetarian philosophy in the United States; Vegetarian forms of sproutarianism, fruitarianism, raw foodism, veganism, ovo-vegetarianism, lacto-vegetarianism, ovo-lacto-vegetarianism, and pesco-, pollo-, and semi-vegetarianism; Research that indicates the benefits of meat-free meals; Mention of lobbying by the meat and dairy industries. INSET: Beyond Diced Carrots.

The article presents information about a complete and healthy food. There are contradictions in the nutritional advices given by health experts and even the government-approved labels on our food are not reliable sources. A healthy diet, according to nutritionists, composed of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and cereals. But, the food should be judged on the basis of nutritional value, potential of fighting diseases and amount of its each ingredient.

Discusses the importance of timing when introducing gluten into an infants diet. How gluten intolerance, or celiac disease, can be a big problem for children; Assertion that exposing an infant to gluten at 4 to 6 months of age helps lower their risk of developing gluten intolerance.

Presents medical news briefs as of April 11, 2005. Results of a study in the "Archives of Internal Medicine" that suggests that a raw-food diet does not cause bones to weaken; Way that a person's visual memory tends to overestimate, according to a study appearing in "Psychological Science."

Looks at a study which compared weight loss of people on one of four popular diets: Atkins, Ornish, Weight Watchers and Zone. Results which showed the average annual weight loss for women was about 5 pounds, while men lost about 6 pounds regardless of the diet they were on; Number of dropouts per diet which was highest for Atkins and Ornish; Suggestion to pick a diet based on acceptable food choices.

Reports that a study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" showed that a moderate-fat diet may reduce a person's cardiovascular risk more than a low-fat diet. Definitions of moderate and low-fat diets; Suggestion that a moderate-fat diet may be better because--unlike a low-fat diet--it does not decrease levels so-called good cholesterol, or HDL, which helps protect against heart disease.

Mentions that Rachel Novotny and colleagues at the American Society for Nutritional Sciences presented findings that suggest that diets rich in calcium help ward off obesity. Finding that girls who consume more calcium weigh less and have less abdominal fat than girls who consume less calcium; Sources of calcium; Reminder that the best way to stay trim is to eat less and exercise more.

Mentions the report from an Institute of Medicine advisory board that has caused debate among dietitians. Points of contention, including the call for an hour of exercise per day; Indication that sugar constitutes 25 percent of daily caloric intake; Amount of fiber, protein, carbohydrates, and fat needed in the diet.

Researchers have designed a drug that targets and destroys the blood vessels that feed fat cells. The fat cells die and those extra pounds melt away but only, so far, in rodents. In one experiment, mice that had doubled in size on a high-fat diet were back to normal weight in just a month, no matter what they ate. Promising research to be sure, but don't cancel gym membership yet.