How expensive is our national weight problem? Obesity now accounts for almost 21 percent of U.S. health care costs, according to a new Cornell University study – more than double previous estimates.
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Caitlyn Boyle

DAVIDSON – Charlottean Caitlin Boyle, editor of the “Operation Beautiful” campaign to end “fat talk” and promote positive body image, will speak Thursday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Lilly Family Gallery of Davidson College Chambers Building.

The 27-year-old Ms. Boyle is the author of the book “Operation Beautiful: Transforming the Way You See Yourself One Post-it Note at a Time.” She is a longtime HealthyTippingPoint.com blogger about healthy lifestyle, and “Operation Beautiful” was launched from that blog in June 2009. Read the full story

MOORESVILLE – Lake Norman Regional Medical Center hosts free monthly educational seminars “Understanding Surgical Weight Loss” the second Wednesday and the last Monday evening of each month at 7 pm at the hospital, off I-77 Exit 33. Read the full story

The writer is president and CEO of United HealthCare of North Carolina.

Garland Scott

By GARLAND SCOTT

Obesity is tipping the scales as one of North Carolina’s biggest problems. Over the last 20 years in North Carolina, the percentage of the population that is obese has increased from 12.9 percent to 29.5 percent.

That’s an alarming trend, and it’s playing out in just about every community across the country. In fact, it’s a trend that has catapulted obesity to one of the top health problem facing our state and our nation. Read the full story