The Checkup: October 24, 2010 - October 30, 2010

FDA refuses to approve another diet drug

There's more bad news for those hoping for new drugs to help fight the obesity epidemic: The Food and Drug Administration has refused to approve yet another new diet pill.The agency sent a letter raising a variety of concerns about Qnexa, according to Vivus In., of Mountain View, Calif., which had sought the approval. The letter does not bode well for the drug winning approval.

By Rob Stein  | October 29, 2010; 10:37 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (4)
Categories:  Cardiovascular Health, Childhood obesity, Obesity  
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Is that right? Jared's running a marathon?

Jared Fogle may have lost 245 pounds by eating healthfully at Subway. But does that make him a marathon man?

By Jennifer LaRue Huget  | October 29, 2010; 7:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)
Categories:  Is That Right?, Nutrition and Fitness, Obesity  
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Is there a gene for liberals?

Is there a gene for liberals? Well, not quite, but scientists say they have found the first evidence that a gene can play a role in shaping an individual's political leanings. In this case, it appears a variation of a gene known as DRD4, which had previously been linked to...

By Rob Stein  | October 28, 2010; 10:40 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (84)
 
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Marathon math

Carbohydrates are vital sources of energy for athletes (and the rest of us), and eating enough (and the right kinds) of them are essential to keeping you fueled for the long haul.

By Jennifer LaRue Huget  | October 28, 2010; 7:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Nutrition and Fitness  
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Home fertility tests questioned

There's some new research out that is raising questions about those home fertility tests that are being sold in drug stores. A new study found that the tests may incorrectly label women infertile even though they are still capable of having babies. Increasingly, women have been delaying having babies until...

By Rob Stein  | October 26, 2010; 3:24 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Motherhood, Parenting, Pregnancy, Reproductive Health, Women's Health, infertility  
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Going back to bread

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about being scared of bread. Specifically, I have become wary of reintroducing home-made bread, once a staple, into my diet after having lost weight on my Me Minus 10 campaign. If I were to bake bread again for my family, I wondered, would I be able to keep myself from pigging out on the stuff?

By Jennifer LaRue Huget  | October 26, 2010; 7:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (11)
Categories:  Me Minus 10, Nutrition and Fitness, Obesity  
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Tracking trick-or-treaters

Nowadays Halloween is still fun, but it's also, for many parents, a holiday fraught with fears not related to scary costumes. It's a night for keeping a close eye on kids. And now there's all kinds of technology to help you do so.

By Jennifer LaRue Huget  | October 25, 2010; 7:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (3)
Categories:  General Health, Kids' health, Parenting  
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