BREAST IMPLANTS AND SUICIDE

According to the L.A. Times, a new report released in the Annals of Plastic Surgery’s August issue states that women who receive breast enhancement implants are three times more likely to commit suicide. Although the study did not give reasons behind the suicides, senior author Joseph McLaughlin, professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, believes many of these women had psychological problems before getting implants, and the conditions never improved after the fact. Last year, 329,396 breast enhancements were preformed, up 13% from 2005 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, making it the most popular cosmetic surgery in the U.S. The latest study analyzed 3,527 Swedish women, tracking some for as long as 29 years after their implant surgeries, and found the suicide risk increased over time. Breast cancer patients who received reconstructive implants were not included. For more information click: HERE

OBESITY AND BABIES WITH BIRTH DEFECTS

Infants born to obese mothers are one-third more likely to suffer significant birth defects, according to a study published in the journal Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. The study found a 63% increase for spina bifida, among other maladies. According to senior author Kim Waller, an epidemiologist at the University of Texas at Houston Health Science Center School of Publish Health, more than 50% of women ages 20 to 39 are overweight or obese. For more information, click: HERE

DIET FOODS LEAD TO WEIGHT GAIN

According to Time.com, a new study by Canadian scientists published in the journal Obesity found that cutting calories by eating diet or low-calorie foods can actually result in quite the opposite. Researchers at the University of Alberta, led by David Pierce, studied the eating habits of young rats, and found that they tended to overeat when fed “diet” foods. Although the study was conducted on animals, it suggests growing research in humans that the more low-calorie (or even zero-calorie) sodas and foods you consume, the more you body demands payback for the calories it was deprived. For more information, click: HERE

U.S. SENATORS GET INTO A FASHION FIGHT

U.S. senators have introduced a new design piracy bill that, if passed, would slap copyright infringement lawsuits on any company that creates a knockoff of an original design registered by a designer with the U.S. Copyright Office. Under the bill called Design Piracy Prohibition Act, designers will be protected for a period of up to 3 years against piracy. For more information, click: HERE

PARIS HILTON’S BIG FEET

According to Fashion Wire Daily, the most famous hotel heiress with a shoe size of 11 will be launching a footwear line of her own. Paris Hilton, who just signed a licensing agreement with Antebi Footwear Group, intends to release Paris Hilton Footwear in stores by early next year. The shoe collection will feature everything from stilettos to flats, platforms and wedges. Although specific details on the look of the shoes haven’t been given, Antebi produces trendy shoes sold in retail stores such as Nordstrom.

KATE SPADE ENDS LONG OWNERSHIP

As stated in Fashion Wire Daily, Kate and Andy Spade have announced that they will step down from Kate Spade as head designer and chief executive officer. The duo founded the “affordable luxury” handbag company in 1993 along with partners Pamela Bell and Elyce Arons. Liz Claiborne Inc. acquired the company in November 2006 for $124 million, while the Spades agreed to a six-month transition plan that ended in mid-June. The husband-and-wife team gave personal reasons for leaving the company.

WHO’S FAT AND WHO IS FIT

Men’s Fitness Magazine has released its ninth annual ranking of the “Fittest and Fattest Cities in America” for 2007, placing Los Angeles, Long Beach, Fresno and San Diego in the top 25 fattest cities. Men’s Fitness created the list analyzing statistics ranging from weather patterns, junk food, and availability of public recreation facilities to TV-viewing habits. To view the entire list of fat and fit cities visit: mensfitness.com/polls/205

OBSESSING OVER ISSUES

A new study featured in the journal of Developmental Psychology has found that among young females ages 8 to 15, excessively discussing problems with friends can strengthen relationships, but leads to anxiety and depression. According to Amanda Rose, lead author and assistant professor of psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia, the results might reflect a cultural tendency in which girls tend to blame themselves when social letdowns occur. To view the entire article: Click Here

JUICE OR NOT JUICE?

According to the L.A. Times, a new study concludes that a liquid form of food such as juice versus solid (think a bowl of fruit) actually results in more calories consumed during the day. The three-day study released by Richard Mattes and Wayne Campbell, professors of foods and nutrition at Purdue University, observed 120 men and women. When consuming a liquid meal supplement such as milk, watermelon juice, or coconut milk, up to 20% more calories were consumed per day by the group. To view the entire article: Click Here