On our Lab Notes page CalorieLab’s editors select and rank the day’s essential health news items in real time. Readers can suggest, vote and comment on items. Below are brief summaries of yesterday’s (February 6, 2010) Lab Notes items. To see today’s items, visit Lab Notes.
1. Heart Attack Themed Restaurants in Legal Spat
An Arizona “medically themed” hamburger restaurant, the Heart Attack Grill, is suing a Florida copycat restaurant, the Heart Stopper Sports Grill, alleging misappropriation of the restaurant’s theme, down its offer of free food to the morbidly obese.
2. Medical Expenses Up Sharply in 2009
Last year, 17 cents of every dollar spent went towards medical expenses, according to a new report released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This represents the largest growth since the government started tracking these statistics.
3. FDA Urged to Upsize Serving Sizes
Nutrition advocates are pushing the Food and Drug Administration to revise standards that food makers use to determine the serving sizes used on Nutrition Facts labels so that calories per serving figures more accurately reflect reality.
4. First Daughters Had a BMI Reality Check
During a kick-off speech for her national campaign against childhood obesity first lady Michelle Obama revealed that the family’s pediatrician had previously warned the Obamas about their daughters’ BMI trend, prompting her to change their meal habits.
5. Fowl-Tasting Soy Substitute Has Health Benefits
A soy chicken in every pot … Scientists have developed a new chicken substitute that supposedly tasted like the real thing.
(By CalorieLab editors)
From the RSS feed of CalorieLab News (REF3076322B7)
Lab Notes: Heart Attack Themed Restaurants in Legal Spat; Medical Expenses Up Sharply in 2009