Given the obesity epidemic in this country, the mantra "always clean your plate" probably isn't necessarily a good thing, especially if the servings are super-sized.

On the other hand, it's not a good thing to toss perfectly edible food. We do that a lot, too.

Food waste is a big problem. How big? The U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service recently conducted a study to find out, concluding that just under one-third of food is "available for human consumption, but not consumed for any reason." This translates into 133 billion pounds of uneaten comestibles, or 141 trillion calories. That's 1,249 per American per day — more than half of the recommended daily allowance.

BODY OF KNOWLEDGE

Cartilage is one of the few tissues in the body that continues to grow throughout life. Between ages 30 and 70, your nose may add half an inch and your ears a quarter of an inch.

LIFE IN BIG MACS

One hour of excavating the garage burns 340 calories (based on a 150-pound person), or the equivalent of 0.5 Big Macs.

STORIES FOR THE WAITING ROOM

Doctors are supposed to thoroughly wash their hands before any physical exam — and many often make a show of doing so in front of patients.

But that's not the only thing to worry about when it comes to transmitting germs. Think stethoscopes, which are a primary and beloved tool of the trade, but for which there are no official guidelines for cleanliness.

A recent small study looked at the germ-transmission risk. Three physicians examined 83 patients at a hospital. After each exam, scientists examined the amount of bacteria on the doctors' dominant hand and on the diaphragm of the stethoscope, the part that touches the patient.

In 71 of the 83 cases, they found that the density of bacteria was much higher on stethoscopes than on the backs and palms of the doctors' hands. The most heavily contaminated places were the fingertips. The more contaminated they were, the more bacteria found on the stethoscope.

PHOBIA OF THE WEEK

Geniophobia — fear of chins

NEVER SAY DIET

The Major League Eating speed-eating record for corned beef and cabbage is 10.63 pounds in 10 minutes, held by Patrick Bertoletti. Warning: Do not try this at any upcoming St. Patrick's Day parties.

OBSERVATION

"Good medicine always tastes bad." —Author Ron Hall in "Same Kind of Different as Me"

CURTAIN CALLS

In 620 B.C., the Athenian lawmaker Draco was smothered to death by gifts of cloaks and hats showered upon him by appreciative citizens at a theatre.

To find out more about Scott LaFee and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.