Obesity Rates Increase Worldwide
A study published in The Lancet has found that obesity affects one in 10 adults worldwide. The study was conducted by researchers at Imperial College London and Harvard University.
The researchers focused on trends of the risk factors that cause heart disease. Body Mass Index (BMI), cholesterol, and high blood pressure were all analyzed with data from 1980 and 2008.
The most striking finding was the overall increase in the number of people falling in the obese BMI range. In 1980, 4.8 percent of men and 7.9 percent of women were considered obese. These rates increased to 9.8 percent for men and 13.8 percent for women as of 2008. The study found that obesity rates increased most among the world's high-income countries.
Despite the increase in obesity, researchers are somewhat optimistic about their findings. Overall rates of people with high blood pressure fell slightly. Cholesterol levels also decreased among Western countries but increased significantly in Asian and Pacific regions.
Unemployment Down In January
The Department of Labor reports that January's unemployment fell to 9 percent, a 0.4 percent decrease from December. This is the second consecutive month to show such a decrease since the unemployment rate was at 9.8 percent in November.
Despite this good sign, the number of jobs created was significantly less than expected. The Department of Labor projected 140,000 jobs to be created in January, but the actual number was 36,000. Experts cite the severe winter weather as a factor for people staying home rather than finding work.
The total number of people unemployed fell by 600,000 since December but economists say this drop may be an indication of a long-term decline in overall employment levels. Experts worry that the decrease in unemployment rate is merely because people are starting to give up on finding work. When they stop searching, they are no longer classified as part of the unemployed masses.
The Department of Labor's data for January did find several positive signs. Those working part-time because they could not find full-time work fell by 500,000 to 8.4 million. Another revision from past months' data shows that 40,000 more jobs were created than originally reported.
Golisano Sells Sabres, Shows Interest In Bills
On Thursday, B. Thomas Golisano sold the Buffalo Sabres to Pennsylvania billionaire Terry Pegula. Now he has shown interest in possibly staying a part of the Buffalo sports scene as the owner of the Bills following Ralph Wilson's departure, whenever that may be.
Golisano, the founder of Paychex, purchased the Sabres in 2003 when the team was facing bankruptcy and possibly leaving Buffalo altogether. Since then, the team has seen a resurgence in its fanbase, combined with improvements on the ice as well. In the 2006-07 season, the team won the President's Cup trophy, awarded to the NHL team with the most points in a season.
Now Golisano could save Buffalo's other major sports franchise, the Bills. In recent years, the issue of the Bills leaving Buffalo has become a definite possibility. Golisano has stated that the closer the Bills come to having to change cities, the more interest he will put into possible ownership and keeping the team here.
The city of Los Angeles has recently announced its plans for constructing a $1 billion downtown stadium. The Bills are one of seven teams that the city thinks it could bring to the larger market.
Still, the future of the Bills depends on the future of Ralph Wilson and whoever replaces him as owner of the team.
