TUESDAY, Aug. 19 (HealthDay News) -- The obesity epidemic in America has gotten worse -- not better -- in the last year, despite public service campaigns warning about the health risks posed by carrying too much weight, a new report found.

Adult obesity rates increased in 37 states, while there were no decreases in any states, according to the annual report released Tuesday by the nonprofit Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

SATURDAY, Aug. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Irresponsible eating, lack of exercise and alcohol consumption are among the factors that contribute to the Freshman 15, which refers to the extra pounds packed on by many new college students, according to a Duke University expert.

FRIDAY, Aug. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Statins reduce the perils facing obese people after they have the bypass surgery that restores blood flow to an endangered heart, a study finds.

The study was done to help settle a running controversy about the ill effects of obesity in such cases, said Dr. Christina C. Wee, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, co-director of research in the division of general medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital and lead author of a report in the Aug. 19 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

“Sweetness is the most important ingredient for life,” reads a Splenda packet.

However, the debate continues on whether artificial sweeteners or natural sugar is best to ingest.

Sugar, or sucrose, is a natural product separated from beet or cane plants. This product is 99.95% pure sucrose, says the Sugar Association.

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 13 (HealthDay News) -- A lack of physical control and coordination in childhood may be tied to an increased risk of obesity in later life, a new study says.

The research, published online at BMJ.com Wednesday, adds to previous studies that found poorer cognitive function in childhood may be linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes in adults.

TUESDAY, Aug. 12 (HealthDay News) -- A host of new studies confirm that the effects of war linger long after the conflict ends.

The Aug. 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association is a special themed issue on violence and human rights, and three studies published in that issue found that various mental health issues, such as alcohol misuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), were more common after exposure to violent conflicts. The one bright spot was a study that found suicide rates weren't higher for returning combat veterans.

Today marks two weeks since my second lap band surgery. I have just finished my second week of liquids and when I stepped on the scale this morning I weighed in at 205. This means I have lost 15 pounds over the last three weeks. I will be on liquids for one more week. I have continued walking two miles, five days a week. All of my soreness is gone now. I feel really good other than getting a bit tired of liquids and some occasional fatigue. I am now out of my size 18 and back into my size 16 clothes.

MONDAY, Aug. 11 (HealthDay News) -- It may, in fact, be possible to outrun death -- and even the creeping ravages of time -- at least for a while.

Research spanning two decades has found that older runners live longer and suffer fewer disabilities than healthy non-runners.

And the findings probably apply to a variety of aerobic exercises, including walking, said the study authors, from Stanford University School of Medicine, whose findings are published in the Aug. 11 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

MONDAY, Aug. 11 (HealthDay News) -- It may, in fact, be possible to outrun death -- and even the creeping ravages of time -- at least for a while.

Research spanning two decades has found that older runners live longer and suffer fewer disabilities than healthy non-runners.

And the findings probably apply to a variety of aerobic exercises, including walking, said the study authors, from Stanford University School of Medicine, whose findings are published in the Aug. 11 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

(HealthDay News) -- Before going for a run, it's important to wear the right clothing.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these guidelines for what to wear when you're running:

* When the weather is cold, dress in layers. The deepest layer should be designed to take moisture away from the skin.
* Put on a middle layer that absorbs sweat and insulates you, and an outer layer that protects you from wind and rain.
* During extreme cold, avoid exposed skin. On areas that are exposed, including the face, apply petroleum jelly.