Reducing Societal Obesity: Establishing a Separate Exercise Model through Studies of Group Behavior.

The past 50 years has brought attention to high and increasing levels of human obesity in most of the industrialized world. The medical profession has noticed, has evaluated, and has developed models for studying, preventing, and reversing obesity. The current model prescribes activity in specific quantities such as days, minutes, heart rates, and footfalls.

A good walk spoiled: on the disappearance of golf as an active sport in America.

During the past 60 years, there has been a major transition in the way golf is played in America. Its potential as exercise largely has been negated by the increase in motorized golf cart usage to approximately two of every three rounds played in this country. Accidents in golf carts have increased rapidly, which, by making the sport more dangerous, will likely bring future regulations.

The emperor's tailors: the failure of the medical weight loss paradigm and its causal role in the obesity of America.

During the past century, the medical profession has developed a paradigm for the treatment of obesity, which prescribes specific exercise and dietary goals under the umbrella of 'lifestyle change'. It has three components, all of which evolved from origins that had nothing to do with weight control. First, it is individually prescriptive, that is weight loss is considered the responsibility of the individual as contrasted to a societal or group responsibility.

Managed care contracts and negotiations.

This article examines the key provisions which should be focused on when reviewing managed care contracts. It offers guidance on how gastroenterologists can negotiate more favorable terms and avoid common contracting pitfalls. The article also highlights specific issues applicable to capitated and other risk-sharing arrangements.