"This is a social force that we are trying to document because the rise in obesity has occurred so rapidly over the past 30 years," Heiland said. "Medically speaking, most agree that this trend is a dangerous one because of its connection to diabetes, cancer and other diseases. But psychologically, it may provide relief to know that you are not the only one packing on the pounds."
Heiland and Burke developed a mathematical model of the impact of economic, biological and social factors on aggregate body weight distribution. Their study is one of the first to suggest that weight norms may change and aren't set standards based on beauty or medical ideals.
The researchers studied body weights of American women, ages 30 to 60, from 1976 to 2000. They found that the weight of the average woman increased by 20 pounds in that time.
They also looked at self-reports of women's real and desired weights. In 1994, the average woman said she weighed 147 pounds, but wanted to weigh 132 pounds. Eight years later, the average woman weighed 153 pounds, but wanted to weigh 135 pounds.
MEDTRONICA
Cadaver calculator - mingle2.com/cadaver-calculator
So what's the going rate for a body these days? Find out here. Answer 20 questions about your general health and lifestyle, then get an approximate dollar value for your corpse.
You're probably worth less than you think. But then, why would you care? You're dead.
BODY OF KNOWLEDGE
The average yawn lasts 6 seconds. A human fetus may begin yawning as early as 11 weeks after conception.
GET ME THAT. STAT!
Approximately 40 million Americans suffer from chronic halitosis (bad breath), according to Stephen Juan, author of "The Odd Body."
NEVER SAY DIET
On Dec. 30, 2003, Sonya Thomas set a new speed-eating record, downing 4 pounds, 14.25 ounces of Wegman's fruitcake in just 10 minutes. There is no truth to the rumor that it remains there in Thomas, still undigested.
BEST MEDICINE
"Sir, I'd give you maybe three minutes to live."
"Isn't there anything you can do for me, doctor?"
"Well, I can boil you an egg?"
OBSERVATION
Your body is the baggage you must carry through life. The more excess baggage, the shorter the trip.
- American novelist Ellen Glasgow (1873-1945)
STORIES FOR THE WAITING ROOM
Some words of wisdom on bathing, from "The Guide Board to Health, Peace and Competence" (1869):
- "Once a week is often enough for a decent man to wash himself all over. If a man is a pig in his nature, then no amount of washing will keep him clean, inside or out.
- "Baths should be taken early in the morning. Any kind of bath is dangerous soon after a meal or soon after fatiguing exercise. No man or woman should take a bath at the close of the day unless by the advice of the family physician.
- "The safest mode of a cold bath is a plunge into a river; the safest time is instantly after getting up."
Pogonophobia - fear of beards
LAST WORDS
"Better not. She would only ask me to take a message to Albert."
- British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881), on his deathbed, when asked if he wished to see Queen Victoria. Prince Albert (1819-1861) was the Queen's late husband.
