New studies in children and adults add weight to the nation's obesity crisis.
One study found that nearly 18 percent of youth between the ages of two and 19 experienced obesity and nearly 16 percent experienced severe obesity. Kids growing up in rural areas were slightly more likely to be severely obese than kids in urban areas. Obesity was more common in Hispanic and black children than white.
The stats don't get better with age.
In the other study, 39 percent of adults were obese between 2013 and 2016; nearly 8 percent were severely obese. Like the children, obesity was more prevalent in rural areas than urban.
Body of Knowledge
The average number of extra calories a pregnant woman needs to eat to give birth to a 7-pound baby is 136 calories per day. That's the equivalent of three Oreo cookies.
Get Me That, Stat!
According to a new study in JAMA, more than one-third of U.S. adults are using prescription drugs that have depression as a side effect.
Life in Big Macs
One hour of sitting quietly burns 68 calories (based on a 150-pound person) or the equivalent of 0.1 Big Macs. Feel free to wave this column around for added calories and a fuller workout.
Counts
8.10: The equivalent cost in dollars and cents in 1900 for a one-hour therapy session with Sigmund Freud
Source: "The Odd Brain" by Stephen Juan
Stories for the Waiting Room
The followers of Hippocrates — the ancient Greek physician considered to be the "father of medicine" — believed that the gender of newborns was determined by which of the father's testicles provided the sperm: right for males, left for females.
A rather crude, painful and ultimately misguided form of sex selection was sometimes practiced by binding the testicle of the gender one didn't want.
Doc Talk
Flu in the knees — an arthritic inflammation in the joints
Phobia of the Week
Porphyrophobia — fear of the color purple
Never Say Diet
The Major League Eating speed-eating record for strawberry shortcake is 22 pounds in eight minutes, held by Carmen Cincotti. After a subsequent visit to the restroom, Cincotti felt strawbetter.
Best Medicine
"What's wrong, doctor? You look puzzled."
"I can't figure out exactly what's wrong with you. I think it's the result of heavy drinking."
"Well in that case, I'll just come back when you're sober."
Observation
"When I'm not in my right mind, my left mind gets pretty crowded."
—American comedian Steven Wright
Medical History
This week in 1985, zippers for stitches were announced by Dr. H. Harlan Stone. Harlan had experimentally used zippers on 28 patients whom he thought he might need to re-open due to potential internal bleeding following initial operations. The zippers which lasted between five and 14 days and were then replaced with permanent stitches.
Self Exam
Q: How much of the adult skeleton is replace each year?
A: 10 percent
Medical Myths
Drinking more water will not clear up your skin. One of the main causes of acne is accumulation of dead skin cells and oil, which has nothing to do with how hydrated you are. Of course, using some of that water to thoroughly wash your face on a regular basis might help.
Curtain Calls
Herbert Khaury, better known as the ukulele-playing, falsetto-crooner with long, frizzy hair, died at age 64 of a heart attack while performing his hit "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" at a Minneapolis fundraiser.
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.
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