The Year in Medicine 2008

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Obesity: Levels Hit Plateau for The First Time in Decades

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Finally some headway in the fight against childhood obesity. For the first time in nearly three decades, the epidemic may be leveling off. Last May, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the prevalence of overweight and obese kids in the 6-to-11-year-old age group appeared to have hit a plateau of about 32% from 1999 to 2006. Experts say that the leveling off may be due not to better diet and exercise but to the possibility that we've hit a sort of genetic ceiling, with the entire population of children susceptible to gaining too much weight having done so.

View the full list for "The Year in Medicine 2008"

Introduction

America's Health Checkup

It's hard enough to make it to your own annual physical. In this issue, TIME takes the entire nation to the doctor

Obama and Health Care

Reform's Moment May Be Now

Although it's no slam dunk, the President-elect's health-care plan has a fair shot at success

Graphic

5 Truths About Health Care in America

Forget about what you thought you knew about America's health care. These five facts may surprise you