FITNESS & NUTRITION

Can you fight fat with a spoonful of these?

Black Pepper May Give You A Kick, But Don't Count On It For Weight Loss

Black pepper and other spicy foods are often touted as weight loss aides, thanks to ingredients like capsaicin, but saying no to the freshly-grated Parmesan is more likely to help you lose weight.

FITNESS & NUTRITION

Dan Barber: Does Good Flavor Equal Sustainability?

Chef Dan Barber chronicles his pursuit of a sustainable fish he could love and the foodie honeymoon he's enjoyed since discovering an outrageously delicious fish raised using a revolutionary farming method in Spain.

The Politics Of Fat In Black And White

Novelist Alice Randall sparked controversy with an op-ed in the New York Times in which she wrote, "chemically ... black fat may be the same as white fat. Culturally it is not." Randall argues that overweight women of all ethnicities must lose weight, but many are fat because they want to be.

Pounding Away At America's Obesity Epidemic

The dramatic growth of obesity in the U.S is the subject of a new HBO documentary series.

Doctors' Due Diligence: Measuring Kids' Blood Pressure

Most primary care physicians do not recognize high blood pressure in at-risk children.

Use Of Tanning Beds Common, Despite Cancer Risks

Overall, nearly 6 percent of U.S. adults got at least one indoor tan in 2010.

California teens are getting fewer calories because of restrictions on school snacks, a study says

Why It Matters That California Teens Eat Less Than Their Peers

A new study says California teens eat fewer calories because of strict snack food laws in school.

Stand Up, Walk Around, Even Just For '20 Minutes'

New York Times columnist Gretchen Reynolds details some of the surprisingly simple ways to stay fit.

Moms Often Overlook Toddlers' Weight Problems

More than two-thirds of the mothers participating in a recent study were inaccurate in their assessments. And the biggest problem was moms who thought their overweight toddlers were just fine. - READ MORE

Even A Small Slowdown In Obesity's Rise Would Save Big Money

Trimming the rise in obesity in the U.S. by just 1 percent over the next two decades would reduce health care costs by by $85 billion. The fight isn't likely to be cheap. But new researchers shows that even a small dent in obesity rates could pay off. - READ MORE

'Wired To Run': Runner's High May Have Been Evolutionary Advantage

Endurance athletes sometimes say they're "addicted" to exercise, and research suggests that may not be an overstatement. "Our brains have been sort of rewired from an evolutionary sense to encourage these running and high aerobic activity behaviors," one researcher says. - READ MORE

Is It Possible To Walk And Work At The Same Time?

When it comes to walking, the easy part is understanding the benefits: regular, brisk walks can strengthen our bones, help control blood sugar, help lower blood pressure and cholesterol and the list goes on. But the hard part? Time — finding the time to fit it into in. - READ MORE

A Need For Speed: Inside Jamaica's Sprint Factory

When it comes to sprinting, Jamaica reigns supreme. And what, exactly, makes Jamaicans so fast? Some say it's in the food; others point to genetics. But let's start with the obvious: In Jamaica, kids really like to run. - READ MORE

The 'Smart Fridge' Finds The Lost Lettuce, For A Price

Two companies have debuted so-called "smart fridges," which have built-in apps designed to keep track of food expiration dates and items that get buried so deep that they'll never be found in time to eat. - READ MORE

School Bake Sales Draw Fire In Obesity Battle

The bake sale, a staple of school fundraising for generations, is getting squeezed. The epidemic of childhood obesity is leading some districts to restrict the kinds of foods sold or to ban the sales altogether, Bloomberg Businessweek's Stephanie Armour explained on Friday's Morning Edition. - READ MORE

Why Do Bike-Share Riders Skip Helmets?

Researchers found that only 20 percent of riders using shared bicycles wear helmets, despite the risk of injury. We took to the streets of Washington, D.C., to ask bicyclists, with and without helmets, about their choices. - READ MORE

Man Cannot Live On Rice And Beans Alone (But Many Do)

Rice and beans is a cultural icon in many parts of the world. It's pretty healthy and relatively cheap. It may keep people from starving, as TV personality Sean Hannity suggests, but it doesn't have all the nutrients a body needs for life. - READ MORE

Lighter Weights Can Still Make A Big Fitness Difference

You don't have to lift heavy weights to build muscle strength. Lifting lighter weights can be just as effective if you do it right, and you're much less likely to hurt yourself, researchers say. - READ MORE