[Riley]

When it comes to our expanding waistlines, we usually blame either diet or genes. But a new study fingers a third culprit: chemicals that attach to DNA and change its function.

Where calories in > calories burned off, fat results.

Building and retaining muscle mass has the happy effect of making even sedentary pursuits burn off more calories, as it elevates the metabolism. It isn't necessary to be a ropy-muscled grotesque caricature, either- just firm up what you've got and maintain it.

[hellbender]

Just look at photos from the not-so-distant past. Most Americans a few decades ago were not obese; in fact most were downright thin by today’s standards, but people did not ride everywhere in cars in those days, nor did they guzzle sodas whenever they were thirsty.