The share of U.S. adults who are overweight is on the rise. Researchers know who is obese, and they've got some good ideas about why we're adding pounds. What they don't have is a proven treatment for what may be the nation's most threatening health problem after cigarette smoking.
Young adults dominate the sensation-seeking cadre, but older people are jumping in, too.
Appealing to the thrill-chaser within can be a powerful marketing message. Some sporting activities are here today and gone tomorrow, while others hang on for the long haul. Here's a rundown on how to distinguish sports trends that will go the distance from fads that qualify as mere sprinters. Every month, we make lots of judgment calls about what's useful to our readers and what isn't. Some well-established centers of affluence will remain wealthy for the foreseeable future.