The Weekly Skinny: All the healthy news you need (7-24-09)

Some much needed news about childhood obesity - for some age groups, the rates are holding steady rather than growing. FatFighterTV has a look at this story and other diet and fitness headlines making news this week.

Preschool obesity rate holds steady at 1 in 7
Some encouraging news about obesity rates in children. A new government report finds obesity has stabilized in the past five years at about one in seven preschool-age children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 14.6 percent of 2- to 4-year-olds were obese in 2008, about the same as in 2003 - that's compared to 12.4 percent in 1998. Researchers say the results are encouraging, but stress there are still too many kids who are obese and that the battle isn't over yet.

Is a new weight loss pill on the way?
An experimental drug for weight loss looks promising so far. Orexigen Therapeutics Inc. says research shows its obesity drug, Contrave, helps patients lose weight, lowers the fat around the waist, and improves levels of "good" HDL cholesterol. Orexigen says Contrave also reduces food cravings and lets patients have better control of their eating. The company will ask the FDA to approve the drug in early 2010.


Mom's diet before conception may affect baby's health
If you're hoping to get pregnant, you might want to watch what you eat early on. A new report shows a mother's health and diet before conception may take its toll on the child's health in the long run. Researchers say the effects of nutrition, like a high-fat diet or not getting enough vitamin B and folate, could leave your children with problems like obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease.

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[photo credit: Getty Images]