..........Better Health

Latest on US Obesity

2012-01-18T08:53:00.002-05:00

Gary Foster, director of the Center for Obesity Research and Education at Temple University in Philadelphia, says, the increase in obesity among men "is troubling given that men typically carry excess weight in their bellies (abdominal areas) which confers greater medical consequences such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and sleep apnea."

By contrast women tend to carry excess weight in their hips and thighs which is associated with less risk to their health, Foster says.

However, the high obesity rate "will continue to confer significant medical, psychosocial and economic consequences for our country," he says.

O'Neil agrees. Obesity is taking a toll on the health of millions of people, he says. "The flood tide of obesity shows no signs of receding, and continues to threaten to engulf the health care system."

Among the other findings released online Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association:

•About 69% of adults in the USA are either overweight or obese; that's up from 64.5% in 2000.

•About 42% of women over 60 were obese in 2010 vs. about 32% of women 20 to 39.

•31.8% of kids and adolescents, ages 2 to 19, were obese or overweight.

•The average body mass index (BMI) of men rose to 28.7 in 2010 up from 27.7 in 2000. For women the average BMI remained unchanged at about 28.5.

Body mass is a number that takes into account height and weight. Adults are considered overweight if they have a BMI of 25 to 29.9. Obesity in adults is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. Children are classified as overweight or obese based on where they fall on BMI growth charts.

This new analysis is based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which is considered the gold standard for evaluating the obesity problem in the USA because it is an extensive survey of people whose weight and height are actually measured rather than being self-reported.

You Can Sit and Sleep 23 1/2 Hours Per Day

2011-12-15T12:27:00.000-05:00

If you spend the other 1/2 hour walking:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo&feature=share

The Two Things Prohibiting Weight Loss

2011-11-22T08:10:00.001-05:00

Smartphone plus sensors can monitor heart in real time

2011-10-20T09:39:00.000-04:00

EPFL’s Embedded Systems and Telecommunications Circuits Laboratories have developed a small, non-invasive wireless device linked to a smartphone to alert patients and their doctors immediately to cardiac anomalies so they can take necessary medical measures.

http://www.kurzweilai.net/tiny-new-tool-to-track-heart-rate-in-real-time-on-a-smartphone?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=c82ecb7c28-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email

Visit Our Table at TMBC Fall Festival

2011-07-28T14:19:00.007-04:00

TMBC will host a comprehensive, diverse, Fall Festival on October 15, 2011, in the TMBC Multi-Purpose Room and Lobby Area. There will be something for everybody! Check here for progressive postings of activities:

http://www.tmbc.org//index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=0&func=view&id=556&catid=4#556

The link above now flows to a page 2, so after you finish reading page 1, click on page 2, Next, or End. Currently either of those 3 options will take you to page2.

Better Health TMBC will have a table with lots of information. You can check your blood pressure and there will be a facility for 'finger stick' check of glucose and cholesterol.

TMBC Line Dancers will perform! The article on Health Through the Decades (left column under Healthy Links) references 'ballroom dancing'; it could just as well has indicated 'Line Dancing'!

Healthiest Cities 2011

2011-05-23T08:43:00.008-04:00

Twin Cities deemed healthiest in USA
By Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY

The Twin Cities Minneapolis-St. Paul are the healthiest, fittest cities in the USA, followed by Washington, D.C., and Boston, according to a new analysis of the 50 most populous metro areas.

http://tinyurl.com/42qxg8u

Oklahoma City ranks last, and Louisville is second to last.
The annual American Fitness Index, out today from the American College of Sports Medicine, is based on a number of health factors, including percentage of residents who smoke, obesity rates, percentage of people who exercise and availability of parks, walking trails and farmers' markets.

Where does your city fall in the fitness rankings?

1. Minneapolis-St. Paul
2. Washington, D.C.
3. Boston
4. Portland, Ore.
5. Denver
6. San Francisco
7. Hartford, Conn.
8. Seattle
9. Virginia Beach
10. Sacramento
11. San Jose, Calif.
12. Richmond, Va.
13. San Diego, Calif.
14. Cincinnati, Ohio.
15. Salt Lake City, Utah
16. Austin, Texas
17. Pittsburgh, Pa.
18. Atlanta
19. Providence
20. Baltimore
21. Milwaukee, Wisc.
22. Kansas City, Mo.
23. Buffalo
24. Raleigh,N.C.
25. Cleveland
26. St. Louis, Mo.
27. Philadelphia
28. Chicago
29. Orlando
30. New York City
31. Jacksonville, Fla.
32. Phoenix
33. San Antonio
34. New Orleans, La.
35. Miami
36. Charlotte
37. Nashville
38. Columbus
39. Dallas
40. Tampa
41. Los Angeles
42. Houston
43. Las Vegas
44. Riverside, Calif.
45. Indianapolis
46. Detroit
47. Birmingham, Ala.
48. Memphis
49. Louisville
50. Oklahoma City, Okla.

Source: American Fitness Index from the American College of Sports Medicine

2010-03-06T07:39:00.008-05:00

Following article recently posted by America On The Move:

http://aom3.americaonthemove.org/~/link.aspx?_id=62A0AC637D9D401BB1F9934509F2A00C&_z=z

Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
March 2010
Benefits of Daily Exercise

A healthy lifestyle includes eating a balanced diet and incorporating exercise into your daily routine. Being physically active can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. For many of these chronic diseases, diet and exercise are each listed as modifiable independent risk factors. What this means is that both diet and exercise are required elements of a healthful lifestyle. Developing a healthful eating plan without considering your activity level or initiating an exercise program without taking your diet into consideration isn't as preventative as including both as part of your healthful lifestyle plan. Exercise is also great for reducing stress and contributing to your emotional well-being.
Health benefits associated with physical activity:

Lowering LDL "bad" cholesterol and raising HDL "good" cholesterol—Regular exercise has been shown to elevate HDL-c levels and, in combination with a low-saturated fat and low-cholesterol diet, improve the overall blood cholesterol profile.

Lowering blood pressure—Exercise can help lower blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. Elevated blood pressure is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. Aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 8 to 10 mm Hg.

Reducing excess weight—Obesity, which is a major contributor to the development and maintenance of the diabetic state, is directly affected by exercise. Exercise lowers body adiposity and, in combination with a weight-loss program, will accelerate fat loss and maintain lean body mass. If you're overweight, losing just 5-10% of your total body weight can minimize the associated health risks.

Achieving and maintaining good blood glucose control—Moderate exercise is recommended in the prevention and management of Type 2 diabetes. Increased physical activity can improve glucose uptake in the cells by increasing insulin sensitivity. Exercise is also beneficial in normalizing the altered blood cholesterol profiles associated with Type 2 diabetes.

Increased energy levels and reduced stress—Active individuals, as compared to sedentary individuals, are more likely to be better adjusted, have improved cognitive function, and experience fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. Exercise also improves one's energy levels, self-confidence, and self-esteem.

Strengthening bones and toning muscles—Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, jogging, or aerobics, is an essential ingredient for achieving and maintaining an adequate bone density. Studies indicate that women who walk at least seven miles per week have higher bone density than women who walk less than one mile per week. Since the effects of exercise on bone integrity are site-specific, it is recommended to do a variety of weight-bearing exercises.

Adapted from an article by Michele M. Doucette, PhD

Biggest Fitness Mistake

2010-02-02T13:30:00.001-05:00

Biggest Fitness Mistake

02/02/2010
If you have haven’t worked out for a month or even a year, don’t expect to return to your same level of physical activity overnight. Building endurance and strength takes time, find out how you can avoid making the biggest fitness mistake.

The biggest mistake people make when starting a fitness program is starting too fast. It may have taken you 20 years to lose your conditioning, and yet you want to take 20 days to get it back. That approach can be dangerous, particularly for those 40 and older, and may result in major medical problems, both musculoskeletal and cardiovascular. Remember, the older you are, the faster you will lose your fitness and the longer it will take you to get back into shape. In younger people, under 40, it is just the reverse.

If you have been off for six weeks or longer, it should take at least six weeks to get back to your original state of fitness. Shorter periods of being off require less time. A good guideline is one week of retraining for the number of weeks you were off. Of course, these times are primarily for those 40 and older. People under 40 should require approximately half the time.

If you were jogging/running, start back with walking, as laid out in the chart below.
Week Activity Distance (Miles) Time (Mins) Frequency/Week
1 Walk 2.0 30 3-5 times
2 Walk/Jog 2.0 28 3-5 times
3 Jog 2.0 26 3-5 times
4 Jog 2.0 24 3-5 times
5 Jog/Run 2.0 22 3-5 times
6 Jog/Run 2.0 20 3-5 times

With other activities, slowly increase the level and intensity as you slowly improve your fitness.

By Kenneth Cooper, M.D., M.P.H., founder and chairman, Cooper Aerobics Center.

Source: US News and World Report

Self-Assessment

2010-01-20T09:55:00.003-05:00

TRANSCEND Steps – "A"

Assessment

The two pillars that will help you to live—and remain in optimal health—long enough to take full advantage of upcoming health technologies are Prevention and Early Detection of disease. There is a lot you can do yourself to uphold these two pillars.

Prevention

Lifestyle choices are the key to successful prevention. Making better choices will help you live in good condition for longer. The TRANSCEND program can help guide you through lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, sleep, brain health, and stress management.

Soon, we will have the means to reprogram our biological software and reach the point where the clock begins to tick longer with each passing year.
Early Detection

There are a number of tests that you can perform yourself to help identify disease very early on, thereby increasing your chances of recovery.

Breast self-exams (women)
Regular examination will make it easy for you to notice changes that should be addresses with your doctor. Essentially, you are looking for lumps, dimpling, changes or redness.

Testicular self-exams (men)
Testicular cancer is the leading cancer in younger men, but it is nearly 100% treatable when caught early. Look for lumps and consistency.

Heart Rate
The easiest place to check your pulse is at your wrist. Without pressing too hard, locate your pulse with the index and middle fingers of the other hand. Count the pulsations for 20 seconds and multiply by 3 for your heart rate. An optimal heart rate is less than 70 beats per minute.

Blood Pressure
You can check your blood pressure easily with an inexpensive device at home. Less than 120/80 mm Hg is an optimal level. Any elevation beyond this level constitutes a health risk. Readings over 140/90 mm Hg are too high and most doctors advise medication for individuals who consistently have readings in this range.

Body Composition
Your health can be affected by how much fat you have and how it is distributed on the body. Some fat is needed for reproductive function, while other fat is simply caloric storage. Body Fat can be estimated using a scale or a handheld device is fine. For a more accurate reading, an underwater tank is preferred (see your doctor or gym for more information). Men should maintain 10-17 percent body fat. Women should maintain 18 to 26 percent body fat. Higher levels of fat, particularly in the abdominal region, increase health risks significantly.

Fitness Testing
Exercise is absolutely necessary for optimal health. We recommend that you evaluate your core strength, upper body strength, aerobic fitness level, and flexibility.

A more complete description of these tests is included in Chapter 10 of Transcend: Nine Steps to Living Well Forever.

In the next issue, we will discuss "N"utrition.

Information taken from following site:

http://www.rayandterry.com/vert/newsletter012010_web.html?utm_campaign=Every%20Product%20is%20On%20Sale%20plus%20Bridge%20Three%20News&utm_content=prescottg@gmail.com&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_term=View%20it%20in%20a%20web%20browser

While Ray Kurzweil is significantly more aggressive regarding maintaining health than most folks, the above 'Assessment' is basic.

Personal Healthcare Reform

2010-01-01T11:34:00.002-05:00

The link (to the left) by the same name as this post is to an article by Dr. Troy L. Schraeder published in the Boston Globe on July 6, 2009. Encountering it for the first time on January 1, 2010, it is a well written article that everyone who is reading this should read :-)

Live Healthy Greenville

2009-12-23T08:21:00.002-05:00

Following is a link to the 2010 version of Live Healthy Greenville:

http://www.livehealthygreenville.org/aspx/friends_overview.aspx

Enjoy Life to the Fullest

2009-11-18T16:11:00.012-05:00

We all tend to rationalize that we are exceptions to rules. That is, we recognize a rules' value, but somehow we don't recognize the impact, personally. Maybe some of this is because certain words become barriers to whether we seriously consider facts or not. Maybe the word 'obesity' has become such a word. That word is used often in the Healthy Links provided in the sidebar at:

http://betterhealthtmbc.blogspot.com/

For instance, consider:

The Cost of Obesity

Obesity and Cancer

Obesity by State

Obesity can take 10 Years off your Life

All of the above are good articles that have received limited readership, perhaps because they contain the word 'Obesity.' The reality is the substance of the first article above is that no matter how health care might be packaged, the cost appears to be going up considerably with time. However, for that to happen an assumption of the article, that American adults will continue the track they are on for 10 more years, will have to hold true. That doesn't have to happen. There is some indication that stating the issue in dollar cost is not effective.

More important than the cost, and how it is going to be absorbed, is that living longer can be enjoyed by most and thus cost becomes a lesser factor.

The chart shown at the link below is more important:

http://betterhealthtmbc.blogspot.com/2007/11/cooper-clinic-radio-show-archives.html

It shows that most people can remain active to near the point of death of an extended life through diet and exercise. That is more important than cost …. doing whatever they want for a longer period of time.

Cooper Health Magazine - Summer 2009

2009-08-18T12:07:00.003-04:00

The Summer 2009 edition was posted on August 4, 2009. Cover articles listed:

Healthy at Any Age

D for dilemma (you need vitamin D and probably aren't getting enough)

downsized dining

balanced body

http://www.cooperaerobics.com/Health-Tools/Cooper-Health-Magazine.aspx

About Strength Maintenance

2009-06-15T10:47:00.005-04:00

As a balance to practicing aerobics (walking, running, cycling, swimming, lince dancing, etc.), there are benefits in maintaining strength at a reasonable level. There are many facilities with equipment and much equipment within private homes that are geared to help .... with some cost involved. Most of the equipment facilitated activity is beneficial, though some advertise more than can be achieved. Strength can be maintained with little or no equipment. The old fashioned push-up still works. Several months ago I decided to reach a level that I could perform 25 push-ups routinely. I started with 10 and did them everyday before dressing. That is at least once a day :-) , but is twice or more on most days as I shower after other activities. I increased the number by 1 every Monday morning. Last week I reached 25. This week 25 feels 'routine.'

A by-product of stength improvement has been being able to perform various yard/garden functions without straining anything. That is, maintining strength permits a higher level of work than could otherwise be performed without adverse consequences. For perspective, I'm currently 72 years old.

Moving More

2009-04-13T08:00:00.001-04:00

BubbleShare: Share photos - Green Toys

NEW COMMENT ADDED AT END! Jane Wang teaching:

http://www.tmbc.org/media/0902081/video.htm

and

http://www.tmbc.org/media/0902082/video.htm

Cooper Aerobics Center Information

2009-03-18T07:00:00.003-04:00

Read comments below

NEWS RELEASE 3/09/09

Physically fit students more likely to do well in school, less likely to be disciplinary problems

See supporting charts here

Read about the latest Cooper book here

Lowest cost found is at Amazon.com

About Pedometers

2009-03-04T09:00:00.001-05:00

Click on image to enlarge. Click back on browser to return.

Click on image to enlarge. Click back on browser to return.

During our Better Health series of presentations, the TMBC Better Health Task Force, experimented with several lower priced pedometers and found them to be lacking in accuracy. Currently a group of 10 folks are using the higher pricedOmron HJ-112 and early reports are they are working well. TMBC purchased these 10 pedometers from Amazon.com.

Soon we will test an even higher priced pedometer, the Omron HJ7201ITC which is functionally similar to the HJ112 but with the added feature of an USB connection that enables transferring data to a PC enabled with Omron software tracking long-term progress. We will report results here via the comment feature of the blog.

I found the holster not secure enough for many outside activities (and you may not be aware of when the pedometer pops out). However an alternative is to clip it in a fashion that the belt holds it secure as per the slideshow:

BubbleShare: Share photos - Delicious Christmas Recipes.

US Lags Global Trend in Life-Span Change Version2

2008-03-09T09:35:00.012-04:00

The original post on this subject can be found in the Archives as the earliest November 2007 post. Since that post appeared, Google has tinkered with the Gapminder software and updated the databases the software accesses. Additionally, other databases with related information have been updated such as GeoHive's life expectancy table for countries with populations exceeding 140,000 for the time-frame 2000-2005. That table lists 23 countries with greater life-expectancies than the US as of 2005. Using that order the following three snapshots are of the relationship of those 23 countries to the US plus India and China. While these two countries life expetancies are still below the US, they are remarkable in two respects. The rate of growth of the populations and the rate of increase in life expectancies. Clicking on an image will render a larger view:

In 1950 most of the 23 countries had life expectancies less than the US.

By 1981 most of the 23 countries were ahead of the US.

At 2008 all 23 countries (listed in order)were ahead of the US.

Functional Foods

2008-01-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

Tara Barber, in her post entitled Healthy Eating for Dummies addresses balance in selection and portions. Dr. Kenneth Cooper in his book Start Strong, Finish Strong describes certain foods as functional foods. Functional foods include the following:

Benecol (spreads and chews)

Kroger's Active Lifestyle Fat Free Milk

Minute Maid Heart Wise Organge Juice

CocoaVia Brand Chocolate Bars

Dove Rich Dark Chocolate (NOT milk or white chocolate)

Green or Black Tea

Benecol, Active Lifestyle Milk, Minute Maid Heart Wise Orange Juice, and CocoaVia products include plant sterol and/or plant stanol esters which have some capacity to reduce total cholesterol levels. So those with slightly elevated cholesterol may achieve optimum levels by combining daily plant sterols/stanols in their diet with modest exercise.

Dove Brand Dark Chocolates contain higher than normal (for other brands of dark chocolate) flavanols. Green and Black Tea are also sources of flavanols. Flavanols promote elasticity of the blood vessels which offset part of the aging process. Any diet that includes dark chocolates needs to also address whether they render more caloric intake than daily exercise regimen burns.

These functional foods in addition to the well known foods including the omega-3 fatty acids (fish); monounsaturated fats (nuts); whole grains; fruits; and vegetables have enough variety to comprise diets that are both healthy and desirable.

TMBC Neighborhood Walking Trail

2007-11-23T10:01:00.000-05:00

Click on image to enlarge. Click "back" on your browser to return.

BubbleShare: Share photos - Delicious Christmas Recipes.

Healthy Eating for Dummies

2007-11-23T07:59:00.000-05:00

By Tara Barber
Assistant Director of Nutrition Services
East Carolina University
Division of Academic and Student Affairs
Campus Wellness and Recreation
MS, RD, LDN

Healthy eating…what does it mean?
• What is health?
• To meet nutrient needs (example: vitamin A, calcium, fiber, etc.)
• To meet calorie (energy) needs (weight management)

What we eat can affect our health status with or without weight change (Examples: high cholesterol; high blood pressure).

Consuming adequate nutrients and calories is based on a continuum of eating from meal to meal, day to day, weeks to weeks, etc. Try not to place all of your focus on one meal or even one day while in the process of developing healthier eating habits.

Natural/whole vs. Processed foods
• Natural/whole foods are foods in their natural, raw state which have the most nutrients.
• Processed foods may initially contain some natural/whole foods, but then are processed which typically removes nutrients and often adds preservatives, additives, sugar, fat, and/or calories.
• While shopping in the grocery store, in general, you will mostly want to shop along the perimeter of the store (the outside) where you will find more whole foods, while limiting the amount of foods that you purchase in the middle part of the store (in the aisles) where you will find more processed foods.
• Considering the cost of whole vs. processed foods…fat and sugar are cheap. Would you rather pay for your health now or later?

How to balance nutrients at a meal:
• Picture your meal on a plate and divide that plate into thirds (like a peace sign).
• Make one third of your meal lean protein; another one third grain/starch; and the remaining one third fruit and/or vegetable. This will provide you with a “rough estimate” of how to balance your meals.
• Lean protein sources – white meat chicken and pork (no skin or bones); lean beef; fish (not fried); eggs (limit yolks if concerns with cholesterol); dried beans (kidney, pinto, navy, black); nuts and peanut butter; low/no fat dairy foods; soy foods; and tofu.
• Carbohydrate sources – it is more health promoting to choose complex carbohydrates vs. simple carbohydrates mostly due to their fiber content. Complex carbohydrates include whole grain breads, rice, pasta, and cereals; as well as vegetables. Although fruits are considered a simple carbohydrate, they are very nutrient dense and also contain fiber. Fruit juice should be limited due to the high sugar content and less fiber content when compared to whole fruits.
• As far as fat content, we do need to limit our fat intake, but not eliminate it! Our bodies need more monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fats rather than saturated and trans fats. MUFAs can be found in nuts, peanut butter, olives, and olive and canola oils. Omega 3 fatty acids are types of PUFA that are very heart healthy. Omega 3 fatty acids are found in some fish (salmon, albacore tuna, trout, and herring). Walnuts, soybeans, canola, and flaxseed contain substances that will convert into omega 3 fatty acids once inside the body. Saturated fats are found in animal meats, dairy foods, butter, and vegetable oil. Trans fats are unsaturated fats that are made saturated and contribute to heart disease. Trans fats are mostly found in processed foods and some margarines (look for the words partially hydrogenated oil on food labels to help you identify trans fats).

How do you know if you are consuming the right foods to obtain adequate nutrients? Include a variety of foods – this includes eating foods from all food groups (grains/starches; fruits and vegetables; dairy foods; lean protein foods; some MUFA & PUFA); in addition to eating foods with different colors, especially fruits and vegetables (don’t eat only green vegetables; include red, orange, and yellow too)! You can also make an appointment with a Registered Dietitian, as well as have regular check-ups with your physician.

What are appropriate portion sizes? A portion size is an amount of food for one person, which will vary from person to person. A serving size is a standard amount of food that is established by the USDA. Refer to www.MyPyramid.gov for more information on serving sizes.

Do I need a dietary supplement? The answer to this question is determined on an individual basis. When an individual is consuming adequate calories and a variety of foods, they are most likely meeting their nutrient needs; however, it is not guaranteed. If someone is not consuming adequate calories, it is very likely that they are not able to meet nutrient needs. Even if someone is consuming adequate calories without a variety of foods, they too may not be meeting nutrient needs. If you are not eating a variety of whole foods, especially fruits and vegetables, it will likely be beneficial to take a standard multivitamin. Look for a multivitamin with the letters “USP” on it as this will ensure a good quality multivitamin.

Moderation – there are no bad foods only bad portions of foods! You can still eat all foods that you enjoy that may not be as health promoting as other foods, its all about learning moderation. Also when we deprive ourselves of certain foods, our cravings for those foods generally get stronger! Allowing yourself to consume smaller portions of these foods can help satisfy the craving without sacrificing your healthy eating habits.

NC % Overweight By County

2007-11-21T20:48:00.000-05:00

Click to enlarge. Click Back on browser to return.

Some Weighty Data

2007-11-21T17:22:00.000-05:00

Click to enlarge. Click Back on browser to return.

US Lags Global Trend in Life-Span Change

2007-11-15T16:30:00.000-05:00

We have encountered a plethora of recent studies indicating the alarming increase in clinical obesity in the US. There were lots of ways of visually presenting the data, but by customizing the information at Gapminder (now a part of Google) we were able to see it clearly. Be patient as the screen sets up as the time will vary based on connection bandwidth and local machine robustness. After the screen fully loads click on "play" at lower left of the screen. Observe closely as it plays. When it finishes come back here and read about what you saw. Following are two snapshots, one at the beginning of the sequence (1960) and one at the end of the sequence (2004). To watch the transition from 1960 to 2004 click on the link entitle "Watch the world change" below:

Click on image to englarge; click back on browser to return.

Watch the world change

Explaining the Chart:

The left-most side of the chart contains life expectancy in years from age 25 to age 80. So when countries progress upward on the chart it is indicative of increase in life-expectancy. The more the change, the greater the rate of increase.

The bottom of the chart indicates the population of countries from below 100,000 to over 1 billion. So small countries are on the left and large countries on the right.

Notice at the upper right of the chart there is a color-code keyed to population. So in addition to the size of a circle, the color of a circle also depicts a countries population.

Below the color-code box there is a "select" box. The countries with a check are those with identifier bubbles on the chart.

The years, at the bottom of the chart span from 1960 to 2004. As the chart progresses the year displays in the background of the chart.

You can stop the chart by clicking on stop and resume by re-clicking play.

In 1960 the US was in 11th place as to life expectancy around the globe. It was far larger than most of the countries ahead of it.

The following countries are included not because they have surpassed the US by 2004, but because they are very large population countries and are gaining rapidly:

China
India
Mexico
Brazil
Indonesia
Pakistan
Russian Federation
Bangladesh

The rest of the countries, 40 of them, are ahead of the US at 2004.

Most of the countries that have NOT progressed are African and are likely greatly impacted by political instability and aids. Place the cursor on an country and it is identified with both population and life-expectancy number displayed.

Play several times to embed the rate of change.

Notice at the top left are two tabs, one marked chart, and to the right, one marked map. Click on the map and the chart reorganizes geographically.

The countries ahead of the US vary greatly as to size, location, race, system of government, economic system, and amount spent on health care with most of the population of the world gaining rapidly.

It is certain that the rapid rate of obesity in the US has negatively impacted the increase in life expectancy. It is also certain that the obesity rate has not decreased since 2004 and is still a great problem today. Check out the slideshow of the US changes by state at the US Center for Disease Control here . And, check the latest information at this PDF .